Sept. Retail Sales Disappointing

The nation’s major retailers today posted disappointing sales for September compared to the same month a year ago, when sales were heavy because of markdowns.

Sears, Roebuck & Co., the largest of the companies, said sales for the five weeks ending Oct. 5 edged up 0.3%. K mart Corp., ranked second, said its sales rose 2.7%, in part reflecting an increase in the number of stores in its chain. No. 3 J.C. Penney Co. said its sales dipped 0.5%.