Chain Store Sales Up Over Last Year

New York, NY, Oct. 5, 2010--U.S. chain-store sales rose 2.4% last week compared with one year ago, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Goldman Sachs.

The week to week change, however, fell 0.8%.

“Overall sales finished the month on the soft side battered by tough comparisons with last year’s week when weather was far more favorable for fall merchandise,” said Michael Niemira, ICSC director of research and chief economist.

“As a whole, September sales are now expected to come in between 2.5 and 3%, industry-wide,” Niemira added.