WASHINGTON – Retail sales during 2020’s November-December holiday season grew an unexpectedly high 8.3% over the same period in 2019 to $789.4 billion, the National Retail Federation said on Friday. That tops the NRF’s holiday forecast, and came despite a pandemic that disrupted holiday shopping.Online and other non-stores sales increased 23.9% to $209 billion. “Despite
NEW YORK — The COVID-19 surge has convinced many consumers to shop from home on Black Friday, according to the Deloitte 2020 Pre-Thanksgiving Pulse Survey released today. For the first time since the survey’s inception, more consumers plan to shop online (61%) than in-store (54%) on Black Friday. “As COVID-19 brings added health and financial concerns, both consumers and retailers are reimagining Thanksgiving
WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation forecast Monday that holiday sales during November and December will increase between 3.6% and 5.2% compared to 2019, totaling between $755.3 billion and $766.7 billion. The numbers, which exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants, compare with a 4%t increase to $729.1 billion last year and an average holiday
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — As customers prepare for an unusual holiday season, Meijer offers increased safety and convenience measures to ensure a better experience for everyone. “This holiday season will be different for many customers, so we are pleased to make adjustments that will provide additional flexibility, while allowing them to enjoy all we have
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Consumers will look to splurge on their own needs and deal with the guilt of missing in-person celebrations this holiday season. This means the bigger ticket items that supported new homebound living and drove general merchandise sales since the pandemic began are likely to continue to stimulate holiday retail sales, reports
CHICAGO — The Grinch arrived early this year in the form of COVID-19, and consumers are dramatically rethinking their holiday plans as a result of new surges in cases and the onset of colder weather in much of the country. People will hold smaller gatherings if they gather at all; adapt their purchasing behavior by buying
