WASHINGTON (MNI) – The following is the commentary from the
ICSC-Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Snapshot released Tuesday:
With the early arrival of Easter (April 8, 2012 vs. April 24, 2011)
retailers were able to enjoy another positive sales week as consumers
shopped for last minute holiday-related items. As a result weekly
retail sales rose by an encouraging 0.5% for the week ending April 7,
according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and
Goldman Sachs’ Weekly Chain Store Sales Index. On a year-over-year basis
sales are continuing to show strengthening and increased by 4.5%
“The early Easter provided a last minute sales incentive for
consumers who needed to finish up shopping for holiday-related items
this past week,” said Michael Niemira, ICSC vice president of research
and chief economist. “As we progress through the month we may see some
sales volatility as a result of the Easter shift,” added Niemira.
For April, ICSC expects that comp-store sales will increase between
3.0% and 4.0% compared with a “tough” Easter-sales-inflated gain of 8.5%
in April 2011.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **
[TOPICS: MAUDT$,MAUDS$,M$U$$$]
