Retail sales keep positive momentum – barely

National retail sales posted a modest gain – 0.1 percent – during the week that ended Saturday.

That marked the fifth consecutive week of sales growth throughout the country, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index, which was released Tuesday.

Year-over-year, the news was considerably better: sales were up 4.5 percent compared to the same week in 2013, according to the index.

“Business for the past week was up sharply in most segments,” said Michael Niemira, research consultant with the council, in a statement. “Dollar stores, wholesale clubs and electronic retailers saw stellar strength over the week.”

Drug, clothing, department, discount and furniture stores also performed well year-over-year, Niemira said.

National retail sales for this month should be up three to four percent compared with July 2013, according to the council.