Store Sales Slow As Shoppers Holdout For Christmas Deals

Store sales in the U.S. continued to slow last week, as many shoppers are predicted to be holding out for last minute Christmas specials.

ICSC-Goldman chain store sales were up 2.5% year over year last week. This compares to being up 3.2% Y/Y the week prior, and up 4.0% Y/Y the week ending November 24, Black Friday.

Redbook reports store sales were up 2.2% Y/Y last week following the 2.1% Y/Y gains the week prior and 4.5% Y/Y gains the week ending November 24.

Both reports are considering the past 2 weeks, and probably the next, to be the “soft middle” for holiday shoppers. Expect sales to pick back up dramatically in the final week before Christmas.