Retail has third off week

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. retail sales dropped week-to-week for the third consecutive time in the week that ended Saturday, a Washington retail trade group said Wednesday.

Sales receipts dropped 1.5 percent after dropping 0.6 percent in the previous week and 4.2 percent two weeks ago, the International Council of Shopping Centers-Goldman Sachs weekly consumer tracking survey indicated.

The council said sales receipts rose 3.2 percent from the same week in 2012.

Gasoline prices were "relatively steady," in the week, the tracking report said. Weather, also a factor in the retail community, was also "relatively neutral" in the week, the group said.

ICSC said traffic at department, apparel and grocery stores improved in the week, but sales were slower at discount stores, pharmacies and furniture outlets.

Sales declined at drug, department, dollar, specialty, electronics, office and furniture stores, the council said.