WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- Retail sales rose 2.9 percent in U.S. chain stores in the week ending June 25, the International Council of Shopping Centers in Washington said.
Sales rose 2.9 percent from the previous week and 3 percent from the same week a year ago.
Increased store traffic gave sales a boost, especially in clothing stores. In the south, warm weather provided even more incentive to shop, the trade group said.
In other regions, temperatures were cooler than the same week of 2010, but slightly warmer than the week's long-term average.
Compared to the previous week, gasoline prices dropped 7.8 cents per gallon to $3.574 per gallon on June 27. It was the seventh consecutive week gasoline prices have dropped, adding to the nation's discretionary funds, ICSC said.
