NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–GlobeSt.com got an early look at Levin Management's mid-year survey of retail managers to be released today and it shows Memorial Day shopping was strong after the harsh winter's dampening effects.

Sales did not grow compared to the first half of 2013, according to the annual June poll of store managers within Levin's 95-property shopping center portfolio. But the Memorial Day burst generated optimism and bodes well for the second half of the year, according to respondents and the management company.

Less than half – 43% - of store managers indicated year-to-date sales had met or exceeded 2013 in the first six months. On the other hand, 50% reported Memorial Day weekend sales were the same or better than last year, which is up from 38% who said that in 2013.

“Our lackluster year-to-date sales findings run counter to positive trending reported by the government, said Matthew K. Harding, Levin's president of the North Plainfield-based firm, “but regional conditions may well have come into play.” A majority of managers polled – 58% – said they believe adverse weather conditions during the early part of 2014 negatively affected sales.

The US Census Bureau reported total retail sales were up 4.3% year-over-year for the period March through May countrywide. On Memorial Day Weekend spending was also up nationally, according to Applied Predictive Technologies – by about $1.9 billion from last year.

Levin's mainly Northeastern-based retailers reported themselves to be optimistic: 52% said they think sales will improve in coming months. That is a distinct attitude adjustment from last year's survey when only 35% anticipated improvement. This year, 16% said they think sales will remain about the same throughout 2014.

Hiring trends mirror last year, according to the survey: About a third of stores said they have added staff or planned to do so since January. Also, 31% of respondents said their company has opened or plants to open new stores in 2014.

“The positive outlook and the expansion plans among our survey respondents reflect retailer confidence in the marketplace,” Harding said. “Some retailers are continuing to right-size as their stores come up for renewal, to gain more efficient, streamlined operation. At the same time, a significant number of concepts are opening new stores and gaining market share in our region.”

“From our vantage point, performance is a little ahead of last year,” he said. “We continue to see a variety of tenants out looking for space in our market. Vacancy rates are becoming tight and rents are creeping up on higher-quality properties in core locations.”

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