Last minute shopping may be 'robust'

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Retail sales in the United States rose slightly in the week ending Dec. 13, the International Council of Shopping Centers-USB reported Tuesday.

Sales were up 0.6 percent for the week, but down 0.4 percent from a year ago, the report said.

"Consumers continue to complete holiday shopping at a slower pace than in recent years," ICSC reported.

In a Dec. 11-14 ICSC and Goldman Sachs survey, 15 percent of consumers indicated they had completed their holiday shopping, suggesting a last minute sales rush might develop.

Last year at the same time, 18 percent indicated they were done with holiday shopping, the report said.

In addition, in the survey fewer consumers -- 44 percent compared with 50 percent -- indicated they were half done with their holiday shopping compared with shopper responses a year ago.

"As holiday shoppers drag their collective feet on holiday spending completion, this seemingly is further depressing the year-over-year pace of sales," the report said.

However, "the last weekend before Christmas could be very robust for sales as consumers rush to complete their shopping," the report said.