California Business Minute™

The California Redevelopment Association, CRA provides legislative
advocacy, professional development and public education.  In support
of its members it responds to legislative proposals and administrative
regulations.

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Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

The national retail and food sales figures for April were released by the U.S.
Department of Commerce.  The numbers showed a 0.2 percent decrease over
the month but a 2.0 percent increase from April 2007. 

The total retail sales for April were $379.1 billion versus $381.4 billion in March.

The latest retail sales survey revealed a variety of information. For example, excluding
auto sales, retail sales numbers were positive, illustrating that the American consumer
is still resilient.  Government analysts believe that the consumer is still spending in the
midst of rising gas prices.

Retail sales reductions were seen in auto sales, furniture and home furnishings along
with building material supplies.  On the flip side, increases were seen in food and beverage,
electronics and appliance stores being supported in part by forced upgrades from the
transition of television to digital signals and the purchase of converters for analog televisions
along with a variety of other forced upgrades such as hands free equipment for cell phones. 

In the meantime, nearly $30 billion of the stimulus checks have been mailed in hopes of
increasing retail sales. But many economists believe that due to the lag in reporting, the
impact will not be felt until the third quarter of this year.

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.

It's amazing, fantastic and incredible. . .
what was the question?

                                                Bob Slobe
                                                Businessman
                                                Philanthropist
                                                All Around Great Guy