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Inland Empire Business News for November 2014.002
Inland Empire Business News for November 2014.002

Back-to-school gives retailers a boost

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.

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