WASHINGTON (MNI) – The following is are excerpts from the
commentary from the ICSC-Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Snapshot
released Tuesday:
The weekly chain store sales index rose by 0.8%, which partially
reversed the prior weekfs dip. Warm weather, receding gasoline prices
and improving high-income household consumer confidence all supported
spending over the latest week. Additionally, over the past week, the
ICSC consumer tracking survey found that consumers were shopping more at
department stores, which saw its sectorfs traffic perk up nicely
relative to the same week of last year.
…
Looking ahead to April sales reports (May 3, 2012 reporting), ICSC
Research forecasts an industry comparable]store sales gain of between
3% and 4% compared with a “tough” Easter]sales]inflated gain of 8.5%
in April 2011.
** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **
[TOPICS: MAUDT$,MAUDS$,M$U$$$]
