Chain Store Sales Up 3% Over 2010

New York, NY, April 20, 2011 -- Chain-store sales in the U.S. last week rose 3% over last year, the International Council of Shopping Centers reported.

Retail sales were up 0.3% over the previous week.

“Overall, sales trends continue to be relatively healthy as Easter-related demand heated up this past week,” said Michael Niemira, vice president of research and chief economist of ICSC.

ICSC Research expects a sharp increase in retail sales of between 5% and 6% in April due to Easter occurring later during the month, compared to April 4 last year.