ShopperTrak notes retail sales rise second week of December

CHICAGO — A new report by ShopperTrak found that sales continue to rise despite flat year-over-year figures.

Sales for the week ended Dec. 10 rose 10.6% above the prior week, while year-over-year sales saw a decline of 1.9%. The drop, which followed a 0.2% year-over-year increase during the week ended Dec. 3, is not an indication that holiday sales will be dismal this year; the firm suggested that it may have been caused by the shifting dates of Hanukkah — moving from Dec. 1 in 2010 to Dec. 20 this year.

ShopperTrak also noted that there are several shopping days left, including this weekend's "Super Saturday," and that November GAFO estimates showed sales rose 4.1% year-over-year. ShopperTrak previously had published a conservative forecast for year-over-year sales, stating that they would increase 3% throughout the holiday season.

“Last week’s strong week-over-week retail sales increase is an indication of things to come,” ShopperTrak founder Bill Martin said. “Retailers will see sales increases all the way up to Christmas Day and the end of Hanukkah. As these important days get closer, shoppers will concentrate on completing their holiday shopping and year-over-year losses will be wiped out.

“There is still a lot of holiday shopping left,” Martin said. “Retailers who accurately monitor daily foot-traffic and make appropriate staffing and inventory adjustments to assist the season’s focused, value-driven buyers will succeed.”