Behind The Numbers

-- Converting Magazine, 3/1/2001

Converting product end-markets posted stronger numbers across-the-board during 00 than in 99. The value of shipments from manufacturers for a wide array of consumer staples, and retail sales of these products, were greater in 00 than 99 but over-the-year growth rates slowed markedly during Q3. Commerce estimates that the value of all consumer staples shipped by U.S. manufacturers during Dec. 00 was up 0.2% from Nov., but was a solid 6.6% over Dec. 99. The value of consumer staples shipped was running 8.4% ahead of a year ago, while orders growth was 8.3%.

Overall retail sales in the U.S. grew at 7.9% last year (according to preliminary Commerce estimates). But gains were fading fast over the final months of 00, and may disappear entirely during the early months of 01. The government estimates that although total retail sales during 00 were almost 8% higher (before adjustment for inflation) than in 99, over-the-year gains slowed from 10.5% during Q1 of 00 to 8.6% over Q2 and 7.5% during Q3, before (hopefully) bottoming out at a modest 5.2% in Q4 of 00.

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