U.S. consumer spending gains slightly

Retail sales in the United States inched higher in the week ending Feb. 23, the International Council of Shopping Centers-USB reported Tuesday.

Store sales gained 0.5 percent over the previous week, which bumped the previous 12-month average to 2.3 percent, its highest for 2008.

Sick or not, the consumer seemed to shop a bit more over the week, the report said, pointing out that widespread influenza had shoppers under the weather many areas.

Dr. Joseph Bresee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the flu was widely reported in 44 states, up from 31 states the previous week.

And, a one-day holiday boosted the retail sales figure.

Even though it was colder than last year, some of the Presidents' Day sales seemed to warm consumers a bit, the report said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International