United Retail Group Inc today announced total sales during the period from August 5, 2001 to September 1, 2001 increased 8 per cent to $26.3m compared with $24.3m during the period from July 30, 2000 to August 26, 2000. Comparable store sales for August increased 1 per cent. Total sales for the year-to-date increased 4 per cent to $242.5m from $232.4m in the comparable period last year. Comparable store sales for the year-to-date decreased 3 per cent.