Summer Games slow retail sales

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Retail sales in the United States rose slightly in the week ending Aug. 16, the International Council of Shopping Centers-USB reported Tuesday.

Sales were up 0.1 percent, following a week in which retail sales fell 1.1 percent, the report said.

Sales rose both weeks in year-over-year figures, up 2.6 percent in the week ending Aug. 9 and up 2.4 percent from a year ago in the week ending Aug. 16, the smallest gain since July 12, the ICSC said.

The report said shopping had been displaced by sports. "Customer traffic slowed, possibly as the Beijing Summer Olympics got into full swing ... and diverted consumers' attention," the report said.

On the positive side for many retailers, the average price for a gallon of gasoline has fallen 37.4 cents in the past six weeks, the report noted.