Retailers Say Consumers Spent More in January: Retailers Report Consumers Spent More in Jan
The Û÷ nationÛªs major retailers yesterday reported only modest sales gains for the last 12 months, but they recorded va surge in consumer spending that began the week before Christmas and continued in January.</br></br>Analyst^, said ,'tlie strong sales increases retailers reported for ^January were in part related to mild weather as well' as heavy jpfomotional sales. But analysts said the figures-aisojshowed a renewed willingness by consumers to spend irioney on general merchandise, especially on the part of better-heeled customers.</br></br>ÛÏItÛªs an.early sigh Of an economic recovery,Û said Monroe H. Greeristein of the brokerage firm Bear, -Stearns Inc. 'ÐÊ</br></br>Department stores and specialized retailers did better, both for January and for the year, than did mass merchandisers. But January sales gains for nearly all retailers were the best since summer, when a worsening recession prompted many to keep their wallets in their pockets.</br></br>Sears, Roebuck & Co., for example, said its sales for the 12 months ended Jan. 31 rose 2.6 percent, from $19.67 billion to $20.18 billion. But the nationÛªs biggest retailer said its January sales were $1.26 billion, 5.5 percent higher than in January 1982.