Search
 

Christmas Sales Spike at End

NEW YORK-The ICSC reports a 2.7% increase in retail sales in the week before Christmas, compared with the week before.

By Dees Stribling | Updated on December 28, 2004

NEW YORK-A late pre-Christmas surge in spending propelled the ICSC-UBS Retail Chain Store Sales Index up by 2.7% in the final shopping week before Christmas, compared with the prior week. That was the strongest weekly gain since Dec. 22, 2001, which saw a 2.9% increase.

“Although holiday sales were slow and uneven for most of the season, last-minute shoppers were out in force last week,” said Michael Niemira, ICSC’s chief economist and director of research. “As a result of this last-minute surge, we expect December comp-store sales will increase by 3.0% to 3.5% on a year-over-year basis.”

According to the ICSC-UBS ongoing holiday shopping survey, a third of consumers were shopping later this year than last, which resulted in a more intense holiday gift-buying crunch for last-minute shoppers. The weekly sales index also rose by 4.3% on a year-over-year basis, which was the strongest showing since July 3, 2004, which was up 4.4% that week.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.