IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
National retail sales were a mixed bag last week.
Sales were up a solid 3.2 percent year-over-year during the week that ended Saturday, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index, which was released Tuesday.
Compared to the previous week, however, sales were down 1.4 percent.
Michael Niemira, research consultant with the council, called it a “mixed week,” with electronics leading sales in most parts of the country.
“The good news is that consumers are continuing to get a break at the pump, which will free up their ability to spend on back-to-school purchases,” Niemira said in a statement.
Niemira predicted a four to five percent gain in sales this month compared with August 2013, when sales rose 3.6 percent year-over-year. August sales figures are scheduled to be released Sept. 4.
