Retail receipts jump in week

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Sales receipts at U.S. chain stores jumped 3 percent in the week ending Saturday, the International Council of Shopping Centers said Wednesday.

In a weekly report delayed by the President's Day holiday, the trade group said, "a confluence of a bout of romance, cold weather and spring apparel interest helped to lift this week's performance."

Valentines Day, renewed interest in winter clearance items, given the return of chilly weather, and "some pre-seasonal whiffs of spring weather over the past several weeks," seemingly pushed stores to bring out spring items and prompted sales, the report said.

Weather Trends International said the week "started off with 'old man winter' reminding everyone that it is still February."

Cutting into consumer spending power, the U.S. Energy Information Agency said the price of regular unleaded gasoline climbed nearly 7 cents in the week to $3.591 per gallon.