Redbook US same-store sales rose by 8.5% from a year earlier in the week ended Sept. 12 after an 8.3% year-over-year increase in the previous week.
Redbook noted inconsistent sales as the back-to-school season transitioned into the fall shopping period, with some companies using artificial intelligence technology to increase demand for back-to-school sales.
Many customers were purchasing second-hand products from discount stores. The demand for back-to-school products remained sporadic, while interest in fall apparel is still limited. The demand for fall items may not increase until the weather gets cooler, Redbook said.
Through the second selling week for September, sales were up 8.4% compared with September 2025, below the target for an 8.5% gain, Redbook said.