NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers are reporting a slow start to the critical back-to-school shopping season in July. Shoppers focused on discounted summer merchandise but held off on picking up new fall clothing in an uncertain economy.
Revenue at stores open at least a year — an industry measure of a retailer’s health— rose 3.8 percent in July, the slowest pace since March, according to a preliminary tally of 10 retailers by the International Council of Shopping Centers. The figure was below a 5.5 percent increase in June.
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