Retail sales gain sharply

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Retail sales in the United States rose sharply in the week ending Dec. 20, the International Council of Shopping Centers-USB reported Tuesday.

Sales were up 2.6 percent on the week but down 0.6 percent compared with a year ago, the report said.

Traffic was "relatively strong" during the week, "especially at department stores" the report said.

Sales held up in spite of a convincing blast of chilly, winter weather. The national average temperature for the week was 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the same week a year ago, ICSC said.

The week also included "record snowfall for the most critical week of the holiday shopping season with heavy snow out West ... and throughout the northern half of the country," ICSC said.

But, demand for merchandise held up with one-third of consumers reporting they purchased fewer gift cards and more gifts this year, "due to hefty pre-Christmas discounts," the report said.