IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Back-to-school purchases gave national retail sales a boost during the week that ended Saturday.
Sales were up in 4.8 percent for that week compared with the last week of August 2013, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index.
Week-over-week sales were unchanged, according to the index, which was released Wednesday.
“Business was overall very healthy, and extremely strong for dollar stores and wholesale clubs,” said Michael P. Niemira, a research consultant for the council. “Other retailers – department, discount, apparel, electronic and furniture stores – all experienced solid sales.”
The council is predicting a four to five percent increase in sales for August compared with 2013.
