Holiday Sales Outlook Optimistic

The NRF expects that improvements over the past few months in key economic indicators will give way to increased spending power among holiday shoppers. If actual sales meet these expectations, it would mark the first time since 2011 that holiday sales would increase more than 4 percent.

Holiday sales on average have grown 2.9 percent over the past 10 years (including 2014’s estimates) and are expected to represent approximately 19.2 percent of the retail industry’s annual sales of $3.2 trillion.

Additionally, Shop.org is forecasting an increase in online sales in November and December of 8-11 percent with total sales estimated at $105 billion.

“Retailers could see a welcome boost in holiday shopping, giving some companies the shot in the arm they