U.S. retail sales rose 3.6% during the final week of September. Business was described as brisk at apparel stores, wholesale clubs, dollar and electronic stores and discounters for the week ended Sep. 27.
The gains offset weakness at online only, grocery and office supply stores as weekly sales rose 3.6%, according to the ICSC/Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index. Overall September U.S. sales, forecast to rise 4-5%, will be reported on Oct. 9.