RAPAPORT... Weekly chain store sales across the U.S. inched 1.9 percent higher for the period that ended October 31, 2009, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Goldman Sachs. Week-to-week sales comparisons were flat, though ICSC noted that sales softened a bit as October came to an end. The group will release monthly sales comparisons for October on November 5.

“Sales momentum slowed at the end of the fiscal month of October as weather turned warmer and wetter,” said Michael P. Niemira, ICSC's chief economist. “However, for the month as a whole, sales performed reasonably well and were helped by favorable weather and easy sales comparisons. For the month, ICSC Research expects the pace of industry sales will be flat to up about 1 percent,” Niemira added.

LH