WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. retail sales fell in the week ending July 31, but rose compared to the same week a year ago, a retail organization said Tuesday.
The International Council of Shopping Centers said U.S. sales fell 0.1 percent in the week. From the same week a year ago, sales were up 3.9 percent.
Retailers have been enjoying a boost from a long spell of hot weather, which is now overlapping the back-to-school portion of the retail calendar.
Ten weeks of unseasonably warm weather has pushed sales of beverages, recreation items and air conditioners.
During the latest week, average temperatures remained above both last year's average for the week and the long-term, historic average.
Back-to-school sales "will really kick into high gear" as individual states launch tax-free sales holidays for various items, the group said.
Alabama has tax break sales days scheduled for August 6-8. Connecticut has a similar program set for August 15-18. Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia also have tax-break sales days scheduled in the first half of the month.
