Report: Weekly chain store sales dip 2%

New York City Weekly chain store sales in the United States dropped 2% for the week ending Sept. 19, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs report released Tuesday.

Comp-store sales for the week edged up 0.6%, but the week-to-week dip of 2% is the largest decline since January.

"This mixed sales picture was affected by a host of crosscurrents," according to the ICSC. Foot traffic slowed and customer traffic was sharply lower at department stores. Gasoline prices also rose for the sixth consecutive week.

ICSC Research determined that consumers "may have enjoyed more time outdoors for the week rather than shopping as mild weather was present."