Retail sales fall 4.0% in latest week

Chicago Year-over-year retail sales declined 4.0% for the week ending Oct. 24, while sales fell 4.8% compared with the previous week ending Oct. 17, according to ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate.

General merchandise, apparel and accessories, furniture and other sales (GAFO) declined last week as Columbus Day sales and promotions ended and retailers experience the annual lull leading up to Halloween.

In addition, temperatures improved throughout the North as compared with earlier in the month when the weather was unseasonably cool, slowing sales of seasonal apparel and other merchandise.

“Retailers should see a slight sales and traffic boost this week due to consumers responding to some last-minute Halloween promotions,” said Bill Martin, co-founder of ShopperTrak. “Following Halloween, we expect to see a bit of a spending pause leading up to Black Friday.”