Chain Store Sales Up 2.7%

New York City, U.S. chain stores sales increased, but were still weak in the fifth and final week of June, as storms and rising floodwaters in the northeast caused temporary store closings, according to a Redbook Research report released Wednesday. Sales at big-box retailers rose 2.7% on a year-over-year basis for the week ended July 1, following a 3.4% rise the prior week. Sales at U.S. retailers in the last week of June rose 1.8% compared to the same time period in May.

Flooding caused by the heavy rain prevented some customers from shopping in malls, Redbook said.