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NRF economist sees more growth ahead

NRF economist sees more growth ahead

WASHINGTON – National Retail Federation chief economist Jack Kleinhenz said Tuesday that the Federal Reserve’s efforts to curb inflation should not derail the U.S. economy’s continued growth. “There is plenty of room to raise rates without threatening the economy,” he said. Kleinhenz’s remarks came in the February issue of NRF’s Monthly Economic Review, which said

At NRF, Cornell emphasizes ‘agility, flexibility, adaptability’

NEW YORK — Since taking the reins at Target Corp. in 2014 Brian Cornell’s game plan has involved listening to customers, then making sure the company has the flexibility to deliver on what’s most important to them. Following the strategy has led Target to a pretty good place: The retailer is coming out of an

Furner says customers are continually evolving

NEW YORK — At a time when changing expectations of consumers, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions and digital technology are causing long-held assumptions about business to be called into question, the National Retail Federation (NRF) is fortunate to have a leader focused on developing an effective response to those dynamics. John Furner, the

NRF: Holiday sales hit a record $886.7 billion

NRF: Holiday sales hit a record $886.7 billion

WASHINGTON – Retail sales for the 2021 holiday season totaled $886.7 billion, up 14.1% over 2020 and easily beating the National Retail Federation’s forecast, the retail trade group said on Friday. That number, which includes $218.9 billion in online and other non-store sales (up 11.3%) but excludes sales at automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants,

NRF lauds Supreme Court decision on vaccine mandates

NRF lauds Supreme Court decision on vaccine mandates

WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation lauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to block the Biden administration’s rule that would have imposed COVID-19 vaccine-or-test requirements for employees at most large companies. By a 6-3 vote, the Justices reimposed a stay of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s COVID-19 employer-based vaccination and testing Emergency Temporary Standard, blocking

Retail sales on a record pace this holiday season

Retail sales on a record pace this holiday season

WASHINGTON – Retail sales continued to grow in November, putting the 2021 holiday season on the home stretch for record spending despite inflation, supply chain disruptions and COVID-19, the National Retail Federation said Wednesday. “Despite economic headwinds, November retail sales data confirms that consumers continue to spend, as demonstrated by a 14% increase in sales

Retail imports to show record growth in 2021

Retail imports to show record growth in 2021

WASHINGTON – Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to end 2021 with both the largest volume and fastest growth on record despite supply chain disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released Wednesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “This has

NRF: Holiday spending could top forecast

NRF: Holiday spending could top forecast

WASHINGTON – With the holiday season “off to a good start,” the National Retail Federation’s chief economist now expects consumer spending to exceed his October forecast, overcoming supply chain disruptions, inflation and challenges like the new COVID-19 omicron variant. “Now that we’re in December, the holiday shopping season is nearing the finish line,” said Jack

NRF: Thanksgiving weekend shopping tops forecasts

NRF: Thanksgiving weekend shopping tops forecasts

WASHINGTON – Nearly 180 million Americans shopped during the five-day holiday shopping period from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, according to a survey released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. “Retailers have adapted and enticed customers with a number of incentives throughout November. The Thanksgiving holiday weekend remains a significant

Early holiday shoppers elevate sales in October

WASHINGTON — Early holiday shopping helped boost retail sales in October, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), which sees the outcome as a positive omen for the rest of the season. “Retail sales data for October reflects the enduring strength of consumers’ finances and willingness to spend as the holiday season gets under way,”

Retail groups applaud vaccine mandate stay

Retail groups applaud vaccine mandate stay

ARLINGTON, Va. – Retail groups applauded a court ruling blocking enforcement of the Biden Administration’s mandate that employers require workers to get vaccinated for COVID-19, or adopt a policy requiring employees to choose to either be vaccinated or undergo regular COVID-19 testing and wear a face covering at work. The National Retail Federation and FMI