WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation is out with figures showing that holiday sales reached $658.3 billion in November and December, a 4% increase from the previous year and surpassing the NRF’s preseason forecast for $655.8 billion in holiday spending. The number includes $122.9 billion in online (dubbed non-store sales by NRF) sales. That represents
NEW YORK — While neither the government nor individual retailers have issued their holiday or December sales figures yet, it looks like the 2016 holiday selling season may have seen the strongest growth since the mid-2000s. However, most of the excitement appears to have centered on e-commerce sales growth, and the big winner there, once
WASHINGTON — Retailers used strong deals and promotions to attract more than 154 million shoppers over the Thanksgiving weekend, according to an annual survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. “It was a strong weekend for retailers but an even better weekend for consumers, who took advantage of some really
WASHINGTON — Retailers applauded a a judge’s ruling preventing the Labor Department’s changes to a federal overtime rule from taking effect on December 1. U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant issued a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of a Labor Department rule that would have required businesses to pay overtime to employees making less than $47,476 a
WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation (NRF) said it expects retail sales, excluding automobiles, gasoline and restaurant meals, to increase 3.6% to $655.8 billion in November and December. That would mark an acceleration over the 3% growth in the final two months of 2015 and represent a significant increase from the 10-year average of 2.5%
WASHINGTON — Retail sales this holiday season will be better than usual, according to the National Retail Federation. The NRF on Tuesday forecast that sales in November and December (excluding autos, gas and restaurant sales) will increase a solid 3.6% to $655.8 billion. That is significantly higher than the 10-year average of 2.5% and also above the seven-year average
WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation, citing strong sales in the first half of the year, said Tuesday that it now expects 2016 retail sales to grow 3.4% over last year. The NRF had previously predicted sales would grow 3.1%. The trade association also raised its forecast for online and other non-store sales, which are
WASHINGTON — The nation’s largest retailers have collectively held their top spots thanks to one common denominator: rethinking merchandise offerings while enhancing their omnichannel efforts. This is one of the findings from an annual ranking of U.S. retailers by domestic sales compiled by the National Retail Federation and Kantar Retail. According to the findings, retail’s
WASHINGTON – New federal overtime regulations scheduled to go into effect on December 1 will hurt the very workers they are meant to help, the National Retail Federation told the House Small Business Committee on Thursday. “Proponents of this rule have touted the changes as a welcomed job creator,” NRF senior vice president for government
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott says he probably would not be where he is today if the Labor Department’s new overtime rules had been in place when he was working at a men’s clothing store as a teenager. Scott told retailers at the National Retail Federation’s Retail Advocates Summit in Washington that expanded overtime
WASHINGTON – The expanding scope and cost of government regulation are placing new burdens on America’s small retailers, according to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation. “Overregulation is undermining the resolve of small retailers,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “To fulfill their role in driving the American economy, small businesses need
WASHINGTON – Americans are expected to spend a record $17.3 billion on Easter-related merchandise this year, according a National Retail Federation survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics. That works out to an average of $146 for each person who plans to celebrate the holiday, which is the highest figure in Easter Spending Survey’s 13