NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Chain-store sales for the week ended Oct. 16 rose 1.7% from the year-earlier period, the slowest rate in at least four weeks, according to a survey released Tuesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs. On a week-over-week basis, sales fell 0.7%. "National temperatures soared relative to last year and its historical record making it the warmest comparable week in 15 years, which unfortunately was not good news for retailers selling seasonal goods," said Michael Niemira, ICSC's chief economist. He forecast October sales to rise about 2.5%.
