ICSC: Dept. Store Sales Lag

NEW YORK CITY-Same-store sales at department stores fell 3% in January from the same period a year ago in the 100 largest US metropolitan markets, according to an International Council of Shopping Centers report. Northeastern cities were hit the hardest due to winter weather conditions.

The market with the largest year-over-year drop was Rochester, NY, which saw a 17.3% decrease, followed by Portland, ME’s 16.5% plunge. Twelve areas in the Northeast had double-digit drops, while only two markets had increases, Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT, at 1.1%, and Springfield, MA, at 0.4%. As a whole, the region fell 8.1%.

The best-performing geographic area was the West, which slipped 0.2%. The Boise, ID-area led the increases, with a 4% jump, while Colorado Springs, CO, had the most difficulties, posting a 7.4% dip.