Chain Store Sales Up Over Last Year

New York, NY, Sept. 28, 2010--U.S. chain-store sales rose 3.6% last week compared with one year ago, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs.

Comparable store sales were basically flat on a week-to-week basis.

The council predicts that chain-store sales comparisons will end the month about 3% higher than September 2009. 

"As the fiscal sales month for September begins to come to a close sales momentum accelerated on a weekly basis as well as on a year-over-year basis," said Michael Niemira, ICSC director of research and chief economist.