WASHINGTON (MNI) - The following is the text of the weekly retail sales report released by Johnson Redbook Tuesday, for the month-to-date through the week ended September 19:

The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was down 2.6% in the third week of September following a 1.9% drop prior week. Month-to-date, September was down 2.3% compared to September of last year (relative to a target of a 2.9% drop). Month-over-month showed a 0.3% gain relative to August (compared to a targeted 0.3% drop). September is a five-week month on the retail calendar ending October 3rd.

Sales slipped during the week as back-to-school merges into transitional fall business. Discount stores remained above plan, which were sustained largely by food and household supplies as well as certain hard lines, such as electronics, while department stores fell behind. Some clothing categories were active, but apparel in general did not perform well, hurting the department stores with their narrower merchandise bases. Both formats saw a mix of business in back-to-school categories, now winding down, and in fall apparel, but traffic was thin and volumes disappointing.

** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **