Retail Sales Dip Again

A later-than-normal Easter has impacted

chain store sales this month, according to an

agency that tracks the retail industry.

The International Council of Shopping Centers

reported Tuesday that the retail sector

experienced another weekly decline in sales (0.4

percent) for the week ending March 21.

The year-over-year decline was at 1.4 percent.

Lately, the week-to-week changes have been

positive for the retail industry. Five out of the

previous eight weeks have seen increases - there

were three week-to-week improvements alone in

February - but March's sales have been sluggish.

One ICSC economist pointed to a Gallup Poll taken

earlier in the month that said consumer optimism

is improving, although it is still "quite low."

Retailers tend to use the Easter sales to induce

shoppers.

The holiday is on April 12 this year.