Apparel Online India Magazine June 1st Issue 2018 | Page 11

WORLD WRAP
Day – high time for jokes, prank
calls and party gifts. This year
Easter also fell on the first of April,
which saw spending of around US $
18.2 billion this year, almost on par
from a record US $ 18.4 billion in
2017. Overall, retail sales expanded
0.3% over the previous month and
clothing and accessories stores
experienced a rebound in sales.
Annual average retail sales growth
was steady at 4.4% in April. Despite
weaker sales growth compared to
March, the April data suggests retail
sales could continue to firm up in the
second quarter, supported by rising
wages and tax refunds.
May is the month of M’s: Memorial
Day and Mother’s Day, both fall
in May, the former marking the
unofficial beginning of summer.
Taking advantage of these holidays,
retailers start offering discounts,
offers and special sales. This month
is also special for green-minded
shops and customers, as Earth Day
is celebrated and greater emphasis
is made for stocking up reusable
and recycled products. Not to forget
the retail opportunities that Super
Bowl, the annual championship of
the National Football League, which
has achieved cult-like status in the
US, provides to retailers. Though
data for actual spending May is still
not available, NRF predicts that for
only the second time in 15 years,
total retail spending for Mother’s
Day this year is estimated to
exceed US $ 23 billion.
Only five months have gone and
many more special days lie ahead.
With June, summer is at the
doorstep and while May was largely
about Mother’s Day, June is all about
proud dads. For people who enjoy
sun and outdoors activities, July
marks the start of outdoor activities
like swimming, picnics, barbecue.
July is the time for proud Americans
to celebrate Independence Day,
with many promotions, special
deals and discounts on offer, across
many categories.
September is the beginning of a new
season and people in the US look
forward to say farewell to summer
with Autumn purchases. Labour Day,
which falls on the first Monday of
From time immemorial,
holidays have been a
reason for businesses
around the world to pep
up…; obviously because
holidays are a time when
businesses can better
cater to their client base
and improve footfall.
September, is the unofficial start of
the Fall. October enjoys popularity
as the month of Halloween. Scary
masks, costumes, haunted homes
and creepy props US – Halloween
is a field day for all retailers selling
spooky things. In November, the
preparations for X-mas start in
earnest. Other than that, there’s
Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, and
of course, Black Friday and Cyber
Monday when shoppers go crazy
on  deals!
www.apparelresources.com | JUNE 1-15, 2018 | Apparel Online India
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