ICSC: Holiday sales up 1.4% week ending Dec. 21

New York -- Weekly sales rose by 1.4% for the week ending Dec. 21, 2013. According to figures from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index, on a year-over-year basis, the pace of sales also improved and grew by 2.7%.



For December, ICSC Research expects monthly sales will increase between 3% and 4% as the promotional environment continues to be intense.



“Consumers reported in the ICSC-GS consumer tracking survey that the average holiday-gift completion rate rose to 83.5% through Sunday, close to last year’s 84% at a comparable time, which is good news for retailers and the industry,” said Michael Niemira, ICSC VP of research and chief economist.