Sales fell 0.3 percent in the week ended July 26, according to a report by the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and UBS, a 0.3 percent gain the preceding week.

Instinet Research said in its weekly Redbook report that sales at chain stores slowed somewhat last week from the brisk pace of previous weeks.

Sales at major U.S. retail stores rose 2.2 percent in the week ended July 26, compared with the same week a year ago, after rising 2.6 percent the previous week, the report said

Consumer goods such as food and household products showed increased. Many retailers also accelerated promotional selling to reduce inventory