Week-over-week sales up 8.8%

Chicago ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE) reported that year-over-year retail sales slipped 2.4% for the week ending Feb. 13, while sales increased 8.8% versus the previous week ending Feb. 6.

The company’s data shows snowstorms across the Midwest, South and East slowed spending early last week, only to improve later as consumers dug out to take advantage of Valentine’s Day and President’s Day promotional items.

Despite continued inclement weather in parts of the county early this week, ShopperTrak expects week-over-week GAFO retail sales gains to continue as both holidays fall during the current seven-day period ending Feb. 20. 

“After analyzing our historical data we’ve determined during the Valentine’s Day blizzard in the Northeast in 2007 shoppers actually visited various retail locations just after the holiday when they were able to safely leave their homes,” said Bill Martin, co-founder of ShopperTrak. “And in 2007 -- just like last week -- we saw a large weekend spend which helped push weekly retail sales into the black.”

Martin continued: “So it seems although Mother Nature was unkind, when provided with holiday promotions and a reason to spend the U.S. consumer has proved very resilient.”