Retail week-over-week sales up 4.6%

Chicago ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate reported that year-over-year retail sales increased 4.6% for the week ending June 19, while sales rose a robust 11.0% versus the previous week ending June 12.

Father’s Day promotions helped drive retail spending last week, while warmer weather throughout the country boosted summer apparel sales, adding to last week’s solid week-over-week performance.

On a yearly comparison, ShopperTrak reports retail sales once again posted a positive result, echoing the company’s statement in December 2009 that retailers would see some relatively strong results throughout 2010. To date, year-over-year retail sales have increased 20 out of 25 weeks so far this year.

“While we’re careful to say retailers have recovered from a disastrous 2009, our data has shown seen relative strength so far this year behind value-driven consumers,” said Bill Martin, co-founder of ShopperTrak. “Although we expect this positive trend to continue throughout the holidays, we anticipate a large drop this week as sales return to anticipated lower levels following Father’s Day until most shoppers take advantage of an extra day of shopping on July 4 to boost retail sales once again.”