US DATA: Retailers experienced their first weekly sales increase in
September as consumers’ once again turned their attention to shopping.
As a result, for the first full fiscal week of September, which ended
September 8, 2012, retailers experienced a 1.0% increase in sales,
according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and
Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index. However, on a
year-over-year basis, the pace of retail sales slowed slightly to 3.4%.
“Despite a bout of warm and muggy weather, consumers seemed to be out
doing more shopping this past week,” said Michael Niemira, ICSC vice
president of research and chief economist. “Overall it was a good week
for the industry as more industry sectors enjoyed small increases –
though grocery stores seemed to benefit the most,” Niemira added. For
September, ICSC research anticipates that the sales pace will moderate
slightly to 3.0% – 4.0% increase (excluding drug stores) from the 6.0%
gain in August.