Sunday, December 24, 2017

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of our readers.

As a point of personal privilege, here are two of the reasons why I am so happy this Christmas, my grandbabies: James right; Franklin left. Both are healthy and doing great.



The following are some holiday fun facts provided by the U. S Census Bureau:

Rush to the Stores

$22.7 billion


The estimated retail sales by the nation’s department stores (including leased departments) in December 2016. A decrease of $1.0 billion in retail sales from December of the previous year.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Note: Leased departments are separately owned businesses operated as departments or concessions of other service establishments or of retail businesses, such as a separately owned shoeshine parlor in a barbershop, or a beauty shop in a department store. Also, retail sales and inventory estimates have not been adjusted to account for seasonal or pricing variations.

19.7%


The estimated percentage for total sales in December 2016 for jewelry stores.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

18.9%


The December sales accounted for hobby, toy and game stores in 2016.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

21.9%


The estimated increase in the end-of-month inventories by our nation’s department stores (excluding leased departments) between August and November 2016.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

$61.4 Billion


The estimated value of retail sales by electronic shopping and mail-order houses in December 2016 — an increase of 9.8 percent from the previous year and the highest estimated total for any month last year.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

$30.6 billion


The fourth quarter 2016 after-tax profits for all retail trade corporations with assets of $50 million and over, up from $21.7 billion in the third quarter of 2016.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Christmas Tree Decorations



$1.5 billion


The value of U.S. imports of Christmas ornaments from China for 2016. China led the way with 92.0 percent of the U.S. total imports of Christmas ornaments.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

$463.2 million


The value of U.S. imports of Christmas tree lights from China for 2016. China led the way with 88.1 percent of the total U.S. imports of Christmas tree lights.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Where Toys Are Made



572


The number of locations nationwide that primarily produced dolls, toys and games in 2015, an increase of 12 locations from 2014 (560); they employed 6,394 workers in the pay period including March 12, an increase of 179 employees from 2014 (6,215). California led the nation with 90 establishments.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Holiday Names


Some names of places associated with the holiday season consist of a dozen places named Holly, including Mount Holly, N.C. (population 14,495), and Holly Springs, Miss. (7,682). There is Snowflake, Ariz. (5,764); Santa Claus, Ind. (2,463); North Pole, Alaska (2,232); Noel, Mo. (1,816); and — if you know about reindeer — Dasher, Ga. (979), and Rudolph, Wis. (430). There is also Unity, Ore. (68).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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