Chain Store Sales Up 3.9% Over 2009

New York, NY, Aug. 3, 2010--U.S. weekly chain-store sales rose 3.9% for the final week of July 2010 as compared with the same week in 2009.

However, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Goldman Sachs reported that the weekly measure fell slightly from the previous week. ICSC determined that comparable store sales for the chains were on track to measure an increase of 3-4% in July.
 
"The retail fiscal month ended on a slightly softer note as retailers are in a shoulder period between summer clearance and back-to-school," said Michael Niemira, ICSC director of research and chief economist.