Retail Sales Hit High Note at End of 2009

San Francisco, CA, Jan. 8, 2010--December same-store retail sales rose 2.8 percent, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.

That was the strongest monthly performance of 2009, and the best showing since April of 2008, the group reported.

"I describe it as a nice finish to the holiday season," said Michael Niemira, the ICSC's chief economist.

Niemira said 2009 chain store sales fell 2 percent, the weakest performance on record. He said 2010 could start off slowly, with January same-store sales forecast to be flat to up 1 percent.

But Niemira expects a rebound this year, with sales rising 3 percent to 3.5 percent, the strongest showing since 2006.