New York, February 15--Chain store retail sales rose in the latest week, as increased customer traffic at discount and department stores continues to drive sales, a retail report said on Tuesday.
Sales rose 0.1 percent in the week ended February 12, compared with a 2.2 percent increase the previous week, the International Council of Shopping Centers and UBS said in a joint report.
Compared with the same week a year ago, sales slowed to a 1.7 percent increase after a 3.0 percent rise the preceding week.
"Customer traffic continues to be robust in February as consumers - especially in the Northeast and Midwest - are out shopping," said Michael Niemira, ICSC's chief economist and director of research.
The ICSC-UBS Weekly Chain Store Sales Snapshot is compiled from a group of major discount, department and chain stores across the country that report their weekly results.
