that's not how retailers monitor progress though! look at QoQ numbers (perhaps adjusted for seasonal activity). YoY numbers are useful but not at all interesting or relevant compared to QoQ. Q1 numbers in 2014 for instance didnt include all the business they bought. you need "same store sales" numbers which in this case could be by brand and country Q1 2015 lower than Q4 2014 lower than Q3 2014 see the pattern?