the store 's computer systems had long ago been updated at meredith 's urging-and at considerable expense-so that at any given instant , sales figures were available from every department in every one of their stores , along with comparisons based on this time last week , or last month , or last year , `` sales of coats in boston , where the temperature this weekend dropped to a more normal seasonal level are '' -he paused , watching the screen- `` up by ten percent over last week . ''