Luxury store sales in the United States rose 5.1 percent in November, reported the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Saks, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus saw growth of 7.2, 5.4 and 2.9 percent in same-store sales, respectively, but Saks said jewelry was one of its softest categories of goods.

U.S. chain store sales increased 2.1 percent in November, the ICSC said, based on a survey of more than 50 companies.%%However, these results were somewhat depressed by Wal-Mart’s poor performance. The giant chain store said its same-store sales were down 0.1 percent in November, the worst performance in 10 years. Without Wal-Mart, chain store sales rose 4 percent in November.%%Chains stores’ same-store sales should increase in the 2.5 to 3 percent range in November and December, said ICSC Chief Economist Michael Niemira.