October Sales: Gains Stronger Than Expected

Leading retailers say October turned out to be unexpectedly solid, with consumers spending more freely than expected. The International Council of Shopping Centers, which tracks leading chains around the U.S., says its index gained 2.1% for the month, the strongest gain in 15 months. And Retail Forward, a consulting company that tracks a slightly different group of stores, says its index saw a pop of 2.3% compared with a 0.9% gain last month and the 3.8% decline in October of 2008.

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