Question-and-Answer Session
Operator
(Operator Instructions) Our first question comes from Quentin Velleley - Citigroup.
Quentin Velleley - Citigroup
I'm here with Michael Bilerman. In terms of the retail sales which were up quarter-on-quarter, I'm just wondering whether you could comment a little as to what categories were the driver of that and whether there was any main differences between geographies and so forth.
Steven Tanger
The sales increases were pretty much across the board. We had a couple of areas of the country which were not increasing, particularly on the boarder of Mexico where the Mexican nationals were reluctant to come into Texas because of the swine flu and other difficulties. But basically our portfolio did well in the second quarter. We of course benefited, as did every other retail channel, from the shift in Easter from the end of March to April this year. But it was pretty much a consistent pattern.
Quentin Velleley - Citigroup
Secondly, in terms of the renewal spreads, which were much flatter this period, obviously, part of that is because the expiring rents were higher. Just wondering if you could comment on what your expectations are for the rest of the year on the renewal spreads.
Steven Tanger
Quentin, as we have always done, we look at the year-to-date results as opposed to quarter-to-quarter. Any particular quarter based on the mix of tenants, the centers, and a relatively low amount of GLA that was coming up for renewal in that particular quarter could skew the results, so management tends to look at the cumulative results year-to-date.
If you're asking us going forward if we can estimate where we will be at the end of the year, it would just be an estimate, but I think we're comfortable maintaining on the balance of the renewals coming up this year. We can continue to maintain the same results that we have through the end of the six months.
Quentin Velleley - Citigroup
Last question, the $25 million on one of the loans that was maturing, which Wells Fargo took out. What was the bank that held that piece of the loan?
Steven Tanger
Wachovia, which was purchased by Wells Fargo.
Operator
Our next question comes from Jay Habermann - Goldman Sachs.
Jay Habermann – Goldman Sachs
Here with [Johan] as well. Steve, if you look at occupancy from Q1 to Q2, I think you guys posted an increase at 10 of your 13 largest centers. Just trying to get a sense of are you starting to look more for, in terms of focusing more occupancy and giving up a bit on rate? Just maybe some comments on retailers just how price-sensitive they are currently in the market.
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