Chain-Store Sales up 1%

New York, NY, November 6, 2007—Chain-store sales rose rose 1% for the week ended November 3, compared to the prior week, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and UBS Securities.

Compared with the same week a year earlier sales were up 2.4%,

"Although the trend in consumer spending clearly has slowed relative to last year, it's encouraging that in the face of increased headwinds, such as higher energy prices and increased worry about the housing markets that consumers continue to spend modestly," said Michael Niemira, chief economist for the ICSC.

Overall, ICSC said it expects that October sales will increase by about 2%, on a year-over-year basis. Retailers report actual results Thursday.