U.S. retail sales up 2 percent

NEW YORK, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. retail chain store sales rebounded 2 percent in the week ending Feb. 4, an industry group said Tuesday.

The International Council of Shopping Centers also said sales last week were 3.8 percent higher than the year-earlier level.

"This past week retail chain store sales recovered nicely as consumers stocked up on consumable goods in preparation of the Super Bowl and continued to take advantage of seasonal clearance items," said Michael P. Niemira, ICSC's chief economist and director of research.

"For February, ICSC expects industry same-store sales to rise by approximately 3.0 to 3.5 percent, on a year-over-year basis," Niemira added.