Retail Sales increased 0.3% for January 2011 and is up 7.8% this time a year ago. The three month average of January, December, November 2010 has an increase of 7.6% in comparison to a year ago. December retail sales percentage change was 0.5%, revised.

Remember before the holidays the press headlines were not about the long term unemployed, or that 50% of Americans make less than $26,261 a year, or how 14% of Americans are on food stamps, and to qualify for food stamps, you are dirt poor, really broke.

Nope, the major press kept on pounding some consumer mirage that Americans were out shopping in droves. Guess what? December retail sales are a bust.

From Oct. 31-Jan. 1, holiday revenue at stores open at least a year rose 3.8 percent over last year, according to an index compiled by the International Council of Shopping Centers. The figure is the biggest increase since 2006, when it rose 4.4 percent.

The index tailed off to a 3.1 percent increase in December after a 5.4 percent rise in November.

According to MarketWatch, here are the losers in retail sales:

Against high expectations for a brighter holiday season, more retailers reported shortfalls than upside surprises in December sales Thursday, raising concerns that profit-eroding discounts may increase in January to clear excess inventory.

Retail Sales increased 1.2% for October 2010 and is up 7.3% from a year ago. The three month average of October, September and August 2010 has an increase of 6.3% in comparison to a year ago.

Retail sales increased 0.4% for July 2010. The increase was due to auto sales & parts, up 1.7% for the month, and gas sales, up 2.3% for July.