2012 Sales Off To A Good Start

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Gift cards, redemptions and warm weather led to solid and widespread growth for January retail sales, according to two reports.

January retail industry sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.9 percent seasonally adjusted from December and 4 percent unadjusted year-over-year, according to the National Retail Federation.

Retail Sales Expected to Increase by 3.4% in 2012, NRF Says

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Retail industry sales are expected to rise 3.4 percent to $2.53 trillion in 2012, according to the National Retail Federation—slightly lower than the pace of 2011, in which sales grew 4.7 percent. NRF excludes the sales of autos, gas and restaurants in its definition of retail sales.
Many economists estimate that real U.S. GDP will rise approximately 2.1 to 2.4

Holiday Retail Sales Season Ends With 4.1% Rise, NRF says

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Retail industry sales for the 2011 holiday season increased 4.1 percent, year-over-year, to $471.5 billion, according to the National Retail Federation, beating its expectation of 3.8 percent growth. The holiday season defined by NRF runs from November 1 till December 31. Sales figures exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants."The right mix of strong promotions,

Growth and October Retail Sales and September Jewelry Sales

Retail sales in October increased 0.7 percent from September and 4.7 percent year-over-year led by discretionary purchases and growth in all categories, according to the National Retail Federation.Meanwhile, October retail sales released by the U.S. Commerce Department show that total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants)

September Retail Sales Show Strong Growth

Retail sales increased 0.4 percent from August and a better-than-expected 5.7 percent over last September, as shoppers continued to show strength during a weak economic recovery, according to the National Retail Federation.Meanwhile, September retail sales released by the U.S. Commerce Department show that total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos,

What Recession? NRF Projects a 2.8% Holiday Sales Increase

On the heels of a holiday season that outperformed most analysts’ expectations, holiday retail sales for 2011 are expected to increase 2.8 percent to $465.6 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. While that growth is far lower than the 5.2 percent increase retailers experienced last year, it is slightly higher than the ten-year average holiday sales increase of 2.6 percent.“

August Retail Sales Flat as Consumer Spending Stalls

Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) in August increased 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted over July and 6 percent unadjusted year-over-year, according to the monthly survey by the National Retail Federation, a retail trade association. The NRF results are in line with data released by the U.S. Commerce Department that shows total retail sales (which

NRF: Retail Sales Up 0.3% in June

Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) in June increased 0.3 percent seasonally adjusted from May and 5.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year, according to data from the National Retail Federation, which notes that it’s the 12th conservative month of retail sales growth.The organization said warm weather, lower gas costs and strong Father’s Day promotions

April Marks 10th Month of Retail Sales Growth

Retail sales increased for the tenth straight month in April, further evidence that the retail sector and consumer spending continue to lead the economic recovery, according to the National Retail Federation. However, the amount of sales growth fell short when compared to prior months.Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) for April increased 0.2 percent

Mother’s Day Jewelry Sales Expected to Reach $3 Billion

Jewelry is expected to be the second most popular gift category this year for Mother’s Day, according to the National Retail Federation. More than 31 percent of persons responding to the NRF’s 2011 Mother’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey said they are planning to buy mom silver, gold or diamonds, a 19 increase from last year. Total spending on jewelry is expected to reach $3

NRF: March Retail Sales Up Nearly 4%

Retail sales in March increased across the board for the ninth straight month, according to the National Retail Federation. Sales for March (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from February and 3.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
“Shoppers last month were eager to take advantage of retailers’ spring promotions on everything from

Retail Sales Continue to Show Improvement

Improvements in the U.S. economy bolstered retailer’s February sales, reflecting improved consumer sentiment as it relates to spending, according to the National Retail Federation. Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) for February 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from January and 4.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year, NRF said.“Retailers have done a

NRF Forecasts 4% Increase in Retail Sales for 2011

Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 4 percent from 2010, according to the National Retail Federation 2011 economic forecast. The retail trade association said the “cautiously optimistic outlook” comes on the heels of seven consecutive months of retail sales growth and better than expected holiday sales.Consumer spending ended on a strong

Holiday Retail Sales Up 5.7%

Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) for December rose 5.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year and 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted from November, according to the National Retail Federation.
As a result, preliminary sales for the November and December 2010 holiday season rose 5.7 percent to $462 billion, surpassing NRF's forecast of 3.3 percent. This