Weekly Chain Store Sales up 4.9%

New York, April 3, 2007--According to a survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers and UBS Securities released today, chain store sales for the week ended March 31 were up 4.9% over the same week a year ago.

On a week-over-week basis, sales were up 0.3%.

Michael Niemira, chief economist at the ICSC said, "March certainly came in like a lamb but is going out like a lion.  With Easter fast approaching and the continuation of warmer weather consumers have had the motivation to spend."

For March, ICSC expects reported sales to grow by 4% to 5% as the earlier Easter holiday boosts March performance at the expense of April.