Press Release:
Weekly Retail Sales Pace Accelerates Up 3.8%
NEW YORK, August 19, 2014 – The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index increased 3.8% for the week ending August 16 – relative to the prior year. On a weekly basis, sales decreased 1.3% compared to the previous week.
“According to the ICSC-GS consumer tracking survey business was very strong over the past week for back-to-school categories – especially electronics and apparel,” said Michael Niemira, ICSC research consultant. “Business was also strong for department, drug, discount, wholesale, and furniture stores. Looking ahead, I expect sales for August to show a healthy gain of 4-5% – a notable improvement over the 3.6% gain in August 2013,” he added.
Fiscal month sales for August will be reported on September 4.
Week Ending Index 1977=100 Year/Year Change Weekly Change
16-Aug-14 568.5 3.8% -1.3%
09-Aug-14 576.1 3.2% -1.4%
02-Aug-14 584.2 4.5% 0.2%
26-Jul-14 583.2 4.6% 0.2%
19-Jul-14 582.3 2.8% -0.4%
Founded in 1957, ICSC is the premier global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its more than 67,000 members in over 100 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and brokers, as well as academics and public officials. For more information, visit www.icsc.org.
