Nationwide Chain Store Sales Slow in First Week of March

New York City, The Johnson Redbook Index said U.S. chain stores reported slow sales in the first week of March as heavy rain hindered shopping. Sales at major retailers were up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis for the week ended March 4, following a 3.0% rise in the prior week, the independent company said. Sales at U.S. retailers so far in March were down 2.5% when compared with the same period in February.