Retail Sales Up 7.1% in Latest Week

Chicago Retail sales for the week ending April 19 rose a strong 7.1% compared to the same period last year as consumers took advantage of warm weather nationwide, according to the ShopperTrak RCT Corp.'s National Retail Sales Estimate.

On a week-over-week comparison, sales also increased for the week ending April 19 as compared to the previous week ending April 12, rising a slight 1.4%.

“More seasonal spring weather contributed to the very welcome retail sales increase experienced last week,” said Bill Martin, co-founder of ShopperTrak. “However, retailers will most likely remain cautious as it is questionable whether or not week-over-week sales increases will continue as we approach Mother’s Day weekend, which is the next large shopping event on the retail calendar.”

To date, ShopperTrak’s NRSE has posted a year-over-year increase in 13 out of a possible 16 weeks so far in 2008.