Retail Sales Higher Than a Year Ago

New York, NY, Jan. 5, 2009--National chain store sales were higher than a year ago but fell 4.6% month-over-month in December, according to Redbook Research's latest indicator of national retail sales.

The fall in the index was compared to a targeted 4.3% drop. December is a five-week month on the retail calendar.

For the fifth week of December, the index rose 1.6% year-on-year, following a 3% gain the prior week.

The Johnson Redbook Index also showed seasonally adjusted sales for the period were up 1.8% from last year, compared to a targeted 2.1% increase.

Redbook said its targeted jump in the index for January is 1.5% year-over-year, with the reading falling 0.9% from December.