US DATA: ICSC for wk Oct 20: “Consumers preparing for the arrival of Hurricane
Sandy along the East Coast gave retailers a bit of a sales increase this past
week. As a result, weekly retail sales for the week ending October 20 rose by
0.5%, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and
Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index. On a year-over-year basis, retail
sales fell slightly by 2.7%. Abnormally warm weather lingered last week, which
curbed seasonal merchandise demand, while residents in the East prepped to faced
Hurricane Sandy, which seemingly helped lift grocery store business.”