Chain Store Sales Continue Upward Trend

New York, NY, March 22, 2011 -- U.S. weekly chain-store sales last week rose 3% compared with one year ago, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs.

For the week ending March 19, the week-to-week retail sales comparison dipped slightly by 0.1%.

ICSC Research expects comparable-store sales will increase by as much as 2% in March  since the Easter spending period falls on April 24 this year.

Overall though, ICSC sees widespread improvement in the retail sector with improved labor markets, strong economic conditions, and reduced payroll taxes.