Retail Sales Rose Last Week

New York, NY, July 29, 2008--The International Council of Shopping Centers Retail Chain Store Sales Index increased 1.2 percent in the week ending July 26 from its level the previous week.

This result Tuesday followed a 0.1 percent rise in the prior week and a 0.2 percent rise the week before that.

"Overall demand improved nicely on a year-over-year basis as a result of improved consumer traffic at discounters, dollar, office supply and electronic stores," said Michael P. Niemira, ICSC chief economist.

On a year-on-year basis, retailers saw sales increase by 2.6 percent in the latest week.