Highlights
Last-minute shopping together with heavy promotions gave a strong 1.0 percent boost to same-store sales in the December 28 week. The year-on-year rate of plus 3.0 percent is the strongest for the ICSC-Goldman series since October. The report notes that last-minute promotions were higher this year than last year, a plus for sales but at the expense of profits. ICSC-Goldman cites strength at department stores and discounters but weakness at electronics stores and apparel stores. It notes that weather was a neutral factor. For December as a whole, ICSC-Goldman's data, despite picking up in the latest week, point to flat results compared to November. Redbook, whose data have been trending higher than ICSC-Goldman, will be posted on the Econoday calendar later this morning at 8:55 a.m. ET.