Slow start to holiday season as sales rise just 1.7% in November.

Perhaps it was the aftereffect of the tryptophan in the turkey that led consumers to hold off on buying many of their holiday purchases in the days following Thanksgiving. Retail comparable-store sales rose a mere 1.7% in November across the industry, according to a tally compiled by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Due to the sluggish and uneven start to the traditional holiday buying season, some retailers may already be thinking that another wave of promotions is needed to spur demand and increase foot traffic. It is important to note, though, that the buying season should be viewed as a month-long marathon and not as a sprint. According to the ICSC, just 6% of …