WASHINGTON — Retail sales should grow by 3.5% to 4.1% this year, according to a forecast released Wednesday by the National Retail Federation. The trade group is predicting that sales in 2020 will top $3.9 trillion, despite uncertainty from the lingering trade war, the coronavirus outbreak and the presidential election. “The nation’s record-long economic expansion
WASHINGTON – Americans are expected to set another record for Valentine’s Day spending this year, according to a survey from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. “Valentine’s Day is a sentimental tradition, but gift-giving can be driven by the economy,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Consumers spent freely during the
NEW YORK — Walmart U.S. president and chief executive officer John Furner realized early in his career that the work retail employees do is important. “I started in retail working in a garden center at a Walmart store,” Furner recalled at the recent National Retail Federation conference here. “And I quickly realized that this work
WASHINGTON – Holiday retail sales during 2019 grew 4.1% over the same period in 2018 to $730.2 billion, according to a recent report from the National Retail Federation (NRF). Grocery and beverage stores were up 2.9% year over year. In addition, online and other non-store sales were up 14.6% year over year. “Having spent time with
WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation (NRF) has announced the launch of the Center for Consumer Privacy and Innovation, a retailer-led initiative intended to promote and protect innovation in the retail customer experience. The launch took place during NRF 2020 Vision: Retail’s Big Show, NRF’s annual convention. “Retailers recognize the importance of and value the
NEW YORK — National Retail Federation (NRF) chairman Chris Baldwin kicked off the trade group’s 2020 convention here with a positive message about the retail industry’s value and its continued vitality. Baldwin, who is chairman and chief executive officer of BJ’s Wholesale Club, noted that he took the helm as chairman of NRF two years
PURCHASE, N.Y. — E-commerce sales hit a record in the 2019 holiday season, helping lift seasonal sales (excluding vehicles) by 3.4% from the year-earlier level, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse. The report noted that e-commerce sales were up 18.8% compared to the 2018 holiday season, though it did not give a dollar figure. E-commerce sales contributed
WASHINGTON — The Saturday before Christmas continues to be the biggest shopping day of the year , according to survey results released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, which estimates that 147.8 million U.S. consumers are expected to participate this year, up from 134.3 million last year. “While many people started
NEW YORK — The holiday shopping season got off to a rousing start on Thanksgiving weekend, and early results show that omnichannel retailing and shopping has clearly come into its own. According to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation (NRF) by Prosper Insights & Analytics, a record 189.6 million Americans shopped from Thanksgiving
WASHINGTON –Retail sales growth was modest in November, but the National Retail Federation still expects a strong holiday season for retailers. Retail sales in November increased 0.1% seasonally adjusted over October and were up 2.1% unadjusted year-over-year, according to the NRF, which noted that the numbers exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants. “November showed
WASHINGTON — Americans shopped in record numbers over this year’s Thankgiving holiday weekend, the National Retail Federation said Tuesday. A survey conducted for the NRF by Prosper Insights & Analytics found that a record 189.6 million U.S. consumers shopped in stores and online from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday this year. That’s up 14% over
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer Inc. is expanding the pet departments in its stores, offering a wider assortment of everything from food and treats to Halloween costumes for pets. Meijer notes that an estimated 29 million people plan to dress their pets up for Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation. To meet that need,