According to the International Council of Shopping Centers' weekly report, U. S. retail sales dropped in the week ending June 12, but rose compared to a year ago.

The trade group has said that compared with the previous week, sales fell 0.7 percent. Compared with the same week a year ago, however, retail sales jumped 2.9 percent after rising 3 percent from a year ago last week.

The report, which was released on Tuesday, also said that sales fell for the week with lower customer traffic in discount stores, but increased traffic at clothing outlets.

Average temperatures across the country were 2.6 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the same week of 2009, the third consecutive week of warmer weather compared to a year ago, said Weather Trends International.

WTI further said that shoppers my have opted to stay out of the heat and humidity. The middle weekend of June was the hottest for the period in over 18 years "with downright oppressive humidity levels" in the Northeast. (With inputs from Agencies)