Retail Metrics, a research firm that provides retail data to
investors, reports that its August Same Store Sales Index rose 3.5 percent.
That figure beat the firm’s expectations by 70 basis points, it said, and was
the first positive sign for retailers in months. The company noted that 67
percent of retailers beat expectations and 25 percent missed.

The company said heavy promotions for the back-to-school
shopping season were the primary driver of traffic and sales.

JCK