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RAPAPORT...
U.S. chain-store sales rose 3.6 percent year on year for the week that ended on April 21, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Week-to-week comparable-store sales grew just 0.8 percent driven by lower gas prices and slightly improved consumer confidence. "Key consumer catalysts kicked into gear over this past week to help lift spending," said Michael Niemira, ICSC's vice president of research and chief economist. "As we head into the final sales weeks for April we continue to expect some sales volatility due to the Easter calendar shift." ICSC expects that comparable-store sales will increase by between 3 percent and 4 percent for the month of April.
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