Christmas week sales are giving retailers in New York state a good reason to pop a cork on New Year's Eve.
The Retail Council of New York State says a survey of stores found that 80 percent said their week-before-Christmas sales were better than or the same as during the same week in 2010. The two days after Christmas were also strong, with 65 percent of survey respondents saying their sales were better than or the same as last year's post-holiday period.
The survey was conducted Wednesday and Thursday.
The Retail Council says the start of Hanukkah on Dec. 20 this year helped boost sales the week before Christmas.
Overall, the trade industry group says its members are giving the holiday season a grade of A-minus.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
