Chain Store Sales Increase Over 2009

New York, NY, Dec. 28, 2010 -- Chain-store sales for the week ended Dec. 25 rose 4.8% from the year-earlier period, the best performance since April 24, according to a survey released Tuesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs.

On a week-over-week basis, sales gained 1%.

"That last-minute holiday spending lift was aided by consumers who had more money as a result of the improving economy, more time as a result of the Friday holiday and more holiday-season excitement than in many years," said Michael Niemira, ICSC's chief economist.