Chain Store Sales Rise Over 2010

New York, NY, April 12, 2011 -- U.S. chain-store sales rose 2.9% year over year last week, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs.

Sales rose by 0.1% this past week from the week before.

“Sales edged up from last week as consumer and sales trends should be relatively strong over the upcoming weeks, as Easter and spring sales kick in,” said Michael Niemira, ICSC vice president of research and chief economist.

ICSC Research anticipates that strong sales will drive up comparable store sales by  5% to 6% this month.