New York – TV price
erosion led sales at CE and appliance stores down 4.1 percent in February,
MasterCard reported.
Total retail sales rose 6
percent year over year, while online sales increased 13.2 percent, according to
the company’s SpendingPulse report, compiled by its Advisors research and consultancy
unit.
Going forward, rising gas
prices could hinder retail sales but may benefit online merchants, MasterCard
said.