Michael P. Niemira

New York -- A survey released Tuesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman-Sachs found that 42% of U.S. consumers expect to spend more on back-to-school items this year than they did in 2011. With the back-to-school shopping season already well underway as one-third of households reported that they have begun to shop, ICSC and Goldman-Sachs expect the average household expenditure on all types of back-to-school items will be about $300 this year. Forty-four percent plan to spend the same amount as last year, while only 14% indicated they would spend less. Of the 42% of consumers

New York City -- A report released Thursday by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs said that 34% of consumers plan to shop on Black Friday, up from 31% in 2010 and 26% in 2009. “In addition to buying gifts, consumers overwhelmingly indicated that they would be looking for bargains on Black Friday for themselves as well,” said Michael P. Niemira, chief economist and director of research for ICSC. Additionally, with some retailers planning to open for limited hours on Thanksgiving Day, 16% of consumers indicated that they would take advantage and head to the mall.

New York City -- The International Council of Shopping Centers is forecasting an increase of 3% to $39 billion in total sales over the three-month back-to-school shopping season. According to ICSC on Thursday, sales for the back-to-school season -- typically the second-largest driver of the year -- are predicted to be healthy. “The 2011 retail environment is a bit different from 2010 and while we expect this year to be slightly more moderate than last, the overall message from this projection is that sales are still likely to be quite healthy,” said Michael P. Niemira, chief economist and director

Nov. 05--Middle- and low-income consumers are turning into "appointment shoppers." When they need something, they will come. But in October, an off month wedged between retail's two busiest times of the year, back-to-school and holiday, shoppers seemed to pause -- especially when warmer weather meant they didn't yet need new coats and sweaters, analysts said. Teen retailers Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters and Aeropostale disappointed, as did department store chains J.C. Penney and Kohl's. But high-end retailers Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue fared better, said Amy Noblin, analyst at Weeden & Co. "Business improved at the

A survey released Thursday by the International Council of Shopping Centers found that the back-to-school spending season is forecast to increase 5.4% over last year.In 2009, the retail store categories that the U.S. Commerce Department segments as back-to-school -- family clothing, shoes, electronics and books -- dropped 2.8%; in 2008, they dipped 0.4%.July 2009 back-to-school sales were particularly weak, declining 5.9%.“Based on arithmetic alone, the expected July jump in BTS spending could be extremely strong,” said Michael P. Niemira, chief economist and director of research for ICSC. “Layer on some fundamental improvement in the consumer economy, including some pickup