Retail sales wilting in fall weather

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. retails sales dropped 0.7 percent in the week ending Oct. 16 but rose compared to the same week a year ago, a trade group said Tuesday.

The International Council of Shopping Centers said warm weather again interfered with sales of fall merchandise. Nationally, temperatures averaged 8.3 degrees Fahrenheit above the same week a year ago and 3.2 degrees Fahrenheit above long-term historic averages, Weather Trends International said.

"This bout of hot seasonal weather was not good news for retailers selling fall goods," the trade group said.

Rising gas prices also chipped away at consumers' willingness to shop. Gas prices rose to an average of $2.834 per gallon on Oct. 18, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said. The price is 10 percent higher than the same week a year ago.

Compared to the same week of 2009, sales were up 1.7 percent, ICSC said.