US DATA: Retailers experienced their first sales decline in over
three weeks as sales dipped by 0.9% for the week ending November 19,
2011, according to ICSC and Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales
Index. On a year-over-year basis, retail sales also slowed heading into
this week by 2.8%. ‘With consumers poised to shop for bargains on Black
Friday, consumers held off spending in the week leading up to that
event,’ says ICSC’s Michael Niemira.