IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Some U.S. retailers must be wishing that the back-to-school season happened more than once a year.
National sales during August were up 5.2 percent compared with August 2013, a healthy gain, according to data released Thursday by the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Consumers who engaged in back-to-school shopping this year spent an average of $325, up from an average of $284 one year ago, said Jesse Tron, spokesman for the council.
“[August] sales posted a very strong gain, with apparel stores closing out the month at their highest year-over-year gain in four months,” Tron said in a statement. “It’s a great indicator that consumers are ready and willing to shop as the economy continues to improve.”
The New York-based council is predicting a four to five percent year-over-year increase in sales in September.
