Chain Store Sales Down 3.7% in 1st Week of April

U.S. chain store sales fell in the first week of April as cooler weather slowed demand for spring apparel, a report said.

Sales in April were down 3.7% compared with March. Sales at major retailers rose 1.7% on a year-over-year basis for the week ended Saturday, Redbook Research said.

The data are compiled from a sample of same-store sales at general merchandise retailers representing about 9,000 stores.