RAPAPORT... Weekly chain store sales across the U.S. rose 2.8 percent from one year ago during the week that ended October 17, 2009, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Goldman Sachs. The positive reading can be attributed, in part, to this year's comparatively more stable climate, given the sales drops that were registered during the fourth quarter of 2008.

“Though the year-over-year sales comparison was easy, consumers shopped late in the week helping to push up the weekly performance,” said Michael P. Niemira, ICSC chief economist. “Weather was a contributing factor for the sales improvement as fall merchandise got a lift this past week."

On a weekly basis, sales rose 0.2 percent for the week that ended October 17, the fourth consecutive week to reflect positive sales results. ICSC Research expects October's comparable-store sales to be flat to slightly positive on a year-to-year basis.

LH