WASHINGTON, March 23 (UPI) -- Retail sales rose 0.1 percent in the week ending Saturday, the International Council of Shopping Centers reported Tuesday.
Retail sales rose marginally on the week, but 3.7 percent compared to the same week a year ago, ICSC said.
Sales were driven by "stronger seasonal-apparel demand, which was lifted by some mild weather in the Northeast," the weekly report said.
Weather Trends International said U.S. weather "was nice on both coasts ... but winter hung on in the central United States, where snowfall was the most in over 20 years and the coldest in 17 years."
Contrary to the middle of the country, weather in the Northeast "had the warmest conditions in 15 years," WTI said.
Warmer, dry weather in the Northeast shopping corridor resulted in "strong demand for spring merchandise" the report said.
