Sep 2, 2011

Retail sales up 4.4% in August from 2010By Andrea ChangBendBulletin.com

Los Angeles, CA – The nation’s retailers weathered stock market turmoil and Hurricane Irene in August, managing to post solid sales during the key month of the back-to-school season and offering hope for the crucial holiday shopping period just around the corner.

Sales at major chain stores rose 4.4 percent year over year, according to Thomson Reuters’ tally of 23 retailers, offering a barometer of steady consumer spending in an otherwise sluggish economy.

The hurricane had a mixed effect on retailers, helping discounters but hurting mid-priced apparel chains and department stores, many of which were forced to close during the storm on the East Coast.

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