Bloomberg PMI Signals Further Strong Growth in Europe Retail

New York (ots/PRNewswire) -

The June Bloomberg Eurozone Retail Purchasing Managers' Index
("PMI(R)"), a monthly survey indicating economic conditions in the
Eurozone retail sector one month ahead of government issued figures,
indicated that Eurozone retail sales rose strongly at the end of the
second quarter.

The seasonally adjusted Eurozone Retail PMI remained above the
no-change mark of 50.0 in June, signalling month-on-month growth in
Eurozone retail sales. Monthly Eurozone retail sales have increased
throughout the second quarter, and eight times in the past twelve
months. The PMI was down slightly from May's survey high of 56.3 but,
at 55.1, indicated the second sharpest rate of expansion in
month-on-month retail sales in the two-and-a-half years that survey
data have been collected. Retailers stated that positive trading
conditions reflected a strengthening of wider demand in the single
currency area, while there were reports that sales had been boosted
by promotions linked to the football World Cup in Germany, and by
good weather. However, improved sales did not lead to growth in
margins, as firms continued to face substantial inflationary pressure
on their purchasing costs.

The two largest Eurozone economies, Germany and France, registered
growth of retail sales in June. French retailers posted the sharpest
growth of sales on average, and the rate of expansion accelerated to
a record high (60.3). Meanwhile, the rate of growth of German retail
sales dipped below the highs seen in April and May but was
nevertheless strong (54.7). In Italy, retail sales fell in June for
the fifth month running, albeit only slightly (48.9).

A third successive month of growth in annual retail sales in the
Eurozone reflected a further improvement in consumer demand in June.
As with the trend in month-on-month sales, the rate of growth of
yearly retail sales eased since May, but remained strong (54.5).

Margins and Prices

The rate of purchase price inflation signalled by the survey in
June was the second highest in thirty months of data collection
(59.2). Average list prices at suppliers increased as demand for
inputs rose and shortages of raw materials emerged. Purchase price
inflation in the German retail sector reflected suppliers raising
their charges in advance of January 2007's rise in VAT.

Inflationary pressure on retailers' purchasing costs continued to
erode gross margins in June (44.6). The rate of decline in profits
picked up to the strongest in four months. While higher purchasing
costs were often blamed for the latest fall in profits, firms also
referred to sales promotions that had led to lower selling prices.

Retailers' Stocks

Although average list prices were up sharply in June, firms
continued to expand their purchasing operations in order to meet
sales demand (54.8). Though the rate of growth in purchases eased
slightly since May it was the third-highest indicated by the survey
to date. Higher purchasing was also the result of ongoing
stock-building programmes. The overall level of stocks of goods for
resale increased for the ninth straight month (54.3).

Employment

The Eurozone retail sector workforce expanded for the third month
running in June (52.3). Moreover, the rates of job creation during
the past two months have been the highest signalled during the
survey's two-and-a-half year history.

Sales Against Targets

Though sales rose strongly in June, retailers missed sales targets
on average, albeit to the weakest extent for six months (46.6).
Retailers remained highly confident that sales targets would be
surpassed next month (57.6).

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Notes to editors

The Bloomberg Eurozone Retail PMI is the first monthly report of
its kind in Europe, providing businesses, governments, central banks,
economists and analysts the most accurate and up to date insights and
data into the Eurozone retail sector.

The index, compiled exclusively for Bloomberg by NTC Economics
Ltd, questions more than 1,000 retail executives in Germany, France
and Italy. These countries together represent approximately 75% of
total Eurozone retail sales. National data are weighted together
according to each country's contribution to total Eurozone retail
sales to form the Bloomberg Eurozone Retail PMI.

The survey tracks changes in retail sales, performance against
sales targets, inventories, prices, employment and other key
indicators. Data are published approximately one month ahead of
government figures.

The Bloomberg Retail PMI report is first published exclusively for
Bloomberg users on the BLOOMBERG terminal at 09:00 GMT, followed by a
general press release and analysis on Bloomberg Television. July and
August data will be released on the following dates:

- July Data: Released 7 August 2006
- August Data: Released 6 September 2006
Web site: http://www.bloomberg.com

ots Originaltext: Bloomberg LP London
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Judith Czelusniak of Bloomberg LP, +1-212-617-4273, or
jczelusniak@bloomberg.net