RETAILERS REJOICE AT RINGING REGISTERS.(MAIN)

Byline: JO-ANN JOHNSTON Business writer

Score one for bricks and mortar.

Retailers in New York state reported an increase in sales of between 5 percent and 7 percent over the post-Thanksgiving weekend compared to the same period last year, according to the New York State Retail Council, which polled 200 stores. The weekend is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. And this year, the early occurrence of the 8-day Hanukkah holiday, which starts Friday evening, probably encouraged more consumers to shop early.

While e-commerce continues to grow, it has yet to emerge as a direct threat to traditional stores.

``The economy is good and …