After posting my remarks earlier today on the Consumer Metrics Institute's Growth Index versus the Census Bureau's Retail Sales data, I received an email from Ed S that's worth repeating here:

I may have an explanation for the reader that questioned the difference between retail sales data and the CMGI Index. Essentially the Census Bureau's retail sales are correct. However, one must remember that many retailers are picking up sales from retailers that have gone out of business since the Great Financial Crisis.

Remember, Circuit City and Linen- N- Things? They are all out of business and their customers have gone over to Best Buy and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Hence, you have sales increases for the past quarter or month....

The Consumer Metrics Growth Index is probably a more accurate measure of activity in the country as a whole and I would put more credibility on their results then with the retail sales numbers that do not take into account the store closings that are going on in every state.