Group Says Weekend Mall Sales Up 2.8%

The International Council of Shopping Centers said sales at the nation’s malls rose 2.8% from a year ago during Thanksgiving weekend. Industry analysts have been predicting a sales increase of 3% to 5% for the entire holiday season. The shopping center trade group said Thanksgiving weekend sales were closer to the lower end of industry projections because consumers may have purchased more gift items earlier in November. In another report, Visa USA said the value of transactions with its card rose 12% on Friday and Saturday compared with the same period a year ago.