Retail Sales Rose Last Week

New York, NY, July 29, 2008–The International Council of Shopping Centers Retail Chain Store Sales Index increased 1.2 percent in the week ending July 26 from its level the previous week.

This result Tuesday followed a 0.1 percent rise in the prior week and a 0.2 percent rise the week before that.

“Overall demand improved nicely on a year-over-year basis as a result of improved consumer traffic at discounters, dollar, office supply and electronic stores,” said Michael P. Niemira, ICSC chief economist.

On a year-on-year basis, retailers saw sales increase by 2.6 percent in the latest week.