National chain store sales rose 1.7% in January versus the previous month, according to Redbook Research's latest indicator of national retail sales released Tuesday.
The rise in the index compared with a 1.6% targeted gain, according to the report.
The Johnson Redbook Index also showed seasonally adjusted sales in the five-week period rose 2.9% compared with January 2006, also above the 2.8% target.
Redbook said on an unadjusted basis, sales in the week ended Feb. 3 were up 3.3% from the same week in 2006, after a 2.7% increase the previous week.
"The final week was assisted by colder weather across the country, which drove sales of cold weather gear and stepped-up markdowns for winter seasonal apparel," Redbook said. "In addition, Super Bowl Sunday was one week earlier than last year, which pushed Super Bowl related sales...into January and helped year-over-year sales growth."