Christmas Sales ‘Not Strong’

The nation’s major retailers today reported they had a “satisfactory, but not strong” Christmas, blaming lack of consumer enthusiasm in part on the fact that the crucial season was six days shorter last year than in 1984.

Most reported modest sales gains over a year ago. Sears, Roebuck and Co., the largest, said its sales rose 1.7%. No. 2 K mart Corp. said its sales climbed 5.7%, but sales at stores open more than a year--called same-store sales--fell 0.3%. J.C. Penney Co., the third-biggest retailer, said its sales increased 8%.