Overall year-over-year dollar volume growth was 7.0% in January, while overall transaction growth was 7.2%. Mild winter weather nationwide resulted in lower energy demands, providing consumers with additional income to spend at retailers.

Average ticket values overall declined -0.2% in January after posting -0.1% growth in December. Credit card spending growth resumed in January after consumers closely watched their spending over the holidays.

?Retailers benefited from the mild weather in January. Reduced energy and home heating expenses combined with lower food inflation provided consumers with extra income to spend on discretionary categories such as clothing and home goods,? said Silvio Tavares, SVP and division manager of First Data Global Information and Analytics Solutions, which publishes SpendTrend.

Jan. Transaction Growth

CHANGE

Jan. Dollar Volume Growth

CHANGE

Note: All transactions are same-store growth.

First Data SpendTrend is now available through Bloomberg, beginning with the January 2012 edition. From your Bloomberg terminal, type STFD to access SpendTrend content.

For more information on First Data SpendTrend, visit www.firstdata.com/infoanalytics or call SpendTrend Customer Care at 800-430-0169. A supplementary podcast including further analysis of the SpendTrend January 2012 report is available here.

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Around the world, every second of every day, First Data makes payment transactions secure, fast and easy for merchants, financial institutions and their customers. First Data leverages its vast product portfolio and expertise to drive customer revenue and profitability. Whether the choice of payment is by debit or credit card, gift card, check or mobile phone, online or at the checkout counter, First Data takes every opportunity to go beyond the transaction.

First Data SpendTrend, a macro-economic indicator, is based on aggregate same-store sales activity in the First Data Point of Sale Network. First Data SpendTrend does not represent First Data?s financial performance.