Same-Store Retail Sales Growth Slows

Same-store year-on-year sales growth couldn't keep up with last week's 0.8 percent pace and slowed by a half to 0.4 percent in the September 10 week. Month-to-date sales were down 0.3 percent from the prior month, which is the 15th week that this comparison has posted a negative reading. Month-to-date same-store sales did look a little better when compared to the same month a year ago, up 0.6 percent, but the gradual slowdown to near stagnancy in the year-on-year weekly reading has been a major disappointment for retailers who started out the year at a promisingly swift 2.9 percent growth pace.