US DATA: “U.S. chain store sales posted a strong 4.8 percent
year-over-year comparable-store gain for January 2011 according to the
International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Retailers weathered
the storms in January, both literally and figuratively, besting ICSC’s
initial forecast, said Michael P. Niemira, chief economist and director
of research for ICSC. This gain is encouraging especially given the
drag on sales created by the winter storms in the Northeast and
Southeast, and suggests relatively healthy underlying consumer demand,
Niemira added. For February, ICSC projects sales will increase by
2.5-3.0%.”