Consumers waited until late December to finish their holiday shopping, driving up chain store sales 3.2 percent year on year for the month, according to ICSC.
“The 2005 holiday season was a moderate one for the nation's retailers,” said Michael P. Niemira, ICSC's chief economist and director of research.
Luxury stores led the gainers, with a 6.4 percent category increase. Nordstrom was the best performer here, up 7.7 percent, and Saks posted solid sales too, up 2.4 percent.
Wholesale clubs also gained, with a 5.2 percent rise. Costco rose 7 percent.
Department stores were up 3.3 percent on the back of a Nordstrom gain of 7.7 percent and a 4.6 percent increase at Kohl's.
Footwear stores went up 2.8 percent, and the standout was Shoe Carnival, which rose 10.6 percent. Payless, however, was down 1.5 percent.
Niemira says he anticipates a same-store sales rise of 3 to 3.5 percent year-on-year for January.
International Council of Shopping Centers
marketing@alchempro.com
