Retail sales slightly down in the week

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Retail sales in the United States dropped slightly in the week ending Nov. 7, the International Council of Shopping Centers-USB reported Tuesday.

Sales were down 0.1 percent, but up 2.9 percent compared to the same week a year ago, the report said.

The slight tick downward broke a six-week trend of week-to-week increases.

In the recent week, consumer traffic increased at dollar stores, wholesale clubs, drug stores and department stores. Traffic in grocery stores declined.

Nationally, the average temperature in the week was 2.4 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the same week a year ago, Weather Trends International said. Gasoline prices, which also influence the nation's shopping habits, fell 2.8 cents from the previous week, following four weeks of increases, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said.