NEW YORK (Reuters) - Retail sales at U.S. chain stores rose last week as consumers shopped for Easter goods and spring toys, a report showed Tuesday.

Sales climbed 1.9 percent in the April 19 week, after rising 1.3 percent in the preceding week, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and UBS Warburg said in a joint report.

Compared with the prior year, sales for the week increased by 2.3 percent.

"Over the last week, the 'Easter lift' was reinforced by slightly above-normal seasonal temperatures in much of the country," the report said.

The BTM/UBSW Weekly Chain Store Sales Snapshot is compiled from a group of major discount, department and chain stores across the country that report their weekly results.

Separately, Instinet Research said in its weekly Redbook report that weekly chain stores rose in the latest week boosted by Easter shopping, but cool temperatures dampened the demand for warm weather items.

Sales at major U.S. retail chains increased by 2.3 percent in the week ended April 19 compared with the same week a year ago, the report said.

Sales rose 4.6 percent in the two weeks ended April 19 compared with the previous month,

"Sales improved over the Easter weekend," the report said. "However, the week's performance was seen as disappointing in light of the surge in sales which was expected."

The Redbook Average is compiled from a sample of general merchandise retailers representing about 9,000 stores. Same-store sales measure revenue at stores open at least a year.