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February retail sales increased 2.7 percent over 2018 Market research Press releases 

February retail sales increased 2.7 percent over 2018

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2019 – Retail sales were down 0.7 percent in February seasonally adjusted from January but up 2.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year as delays and revisions related to the government shutdown continued to make comparisons difficult, the National Retail Federation said today. The numbers exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants. “The weaker-than-expected February retail sales numbers reflect colder... Read More
Retail employment dipped in February despite long-term gains News Press releases 

Retail employment dipped in February despite long-term gains

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2019 – Retail industry employment in February was down by 6,100 jobs seasonally adjusted from January and down 5,300 jobs unadjusted year-over-year as employment growth across all industries slowed dramatically, the Labor Department said today. The retail numbers, which exclude restaurants, came as the nation saw a monthly gain of only 20,000 jobs overall, a fraction of... Read More
2018 holiday sales grew 2.9 percent amid turmoil Market research Press releases 

2018 holiday sales grew 2.9 percent amid turmoil

WASHINGTON, February 14, 2019 – Holiday retail sales during 2018 grew a lower-than-expected 2.9 percent over the same period in 2017 to $707.5 billion, the National Retail Federation said today after the Commerce Department released data that had been delayed by nearly a month because of the recent government shutdown. “All signs during the holidays seemed to show that consumers... Read More
NRF forecasts retail sales will grow between 3.8 and 4.4 percent Market research News Press releases 

NRF forecasts retail sales will grow between 3.8 and 4.4 percent

WASHINGTON, February 5, 2019 – The National Retail Federation today forecast that retail sales during 2019 will increase between 3.8 percent and 4.4 percent to more than $3.8 trillion despite threats from an ongoing trade war, the volatile stock market and the effects of the government shutdown. “We believe the underlying state of the economy is sound,” NRF President and... Read More
Retail jobs grew nearly 15,000 in January over December Market research Press releases 

Retail jobs grew nearly 15,000 in January over December

WASHINGTON, February 1, 2019 – Retail industry employment in January was down by 15,100 jobs unadjusted from a year earlier but increased 14,800 jobs seasonally adjusted from December, the National Retail Federation said today. The retail numbers, which exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants, came as the nation added 304,000 jobs overall compared with December, the Labor Department said.... Read More
Fewer consumers celebrating Valentine’s Day but those who do are spending more Marketing Press releases 

Fewer consumers celebrating Valentine’s Day but those who do are spending more

WASHINGTON, January 29, 2019 – Americans are expected to spend a record amount on Valentine’s Day this year despite a years-long decrease in the percentage of people celebrating the holiday, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. “The vast majority of Valentine’s Day dollars are still spent on significant others,... Read More
Retail jobs grew 37,600 year-over-year in December News Press releases 

Retail jobs grew 37,600 year-over-year in December

Retailers hired 576,800 seasonal workers for holidays WASHINGTON, January 4, 2018 – Retail industry employment in December increased by 15,200 jobs seasonally adjusted from November and 37,600 jobs unadjusted year-over-year, the National Retail Federation said today. The retail gains, which exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants, came as the nation added 312,000 jobs overall, the Labor Department said. “Today’s... Read More
Procrastinators rush to meet holiday deadline Market research Press releases 

Procrastinators rush to meet holiday deadline

134 million Consumers Plan to Shop on Super Saturday WASHINGTON, December 19, 2018 – More than 40 percent of holiday shoppers surveyed expect to finish their holiday gift shopping by today, but the biggest procrastinators will still be buying gifts through Christmas Eve, according to the annual consumer sentiment survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights... Read More
NRF reports November retail sales up 5 percent over 2017 News Press releases 

NRF reports November retail sales up 5 percent over 2017

November Retail Sales Increase 5 Percent Over 2017, Putting Holiday Spending on Track to Meet NRF Forecast WASHINGTON, December 14, 2018 – November retail sales were up 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted from October and increased 5 percent unadjusted year-over-year, completing the first half of the holiday shopping season with spending on track to easily meet the National Retail Federation’s forecast,... Read More
Retail jobs grew 18,600 in November, accounted for 12 percent of nationwide job growth News Press releases 

Retail jobs grew 18,600 in November, accounted for 12 percent of nationwide job growth

WASHINGTON, December 7, 2018 – Retail industry employment in November increased by 18,600 jobs seasonally adjusted from October, accounting for 12 percent of the 155,000-job increase reported by the Labor Department for the economy overall, the National Retail Federation said today. Year-over-year, retail employment was down by 16,300 jobs unadjusted as a tight labor market made it difficult to fill... Read More
October retail sales increased 5.6 percent over last year Press releases 

October retail sales increased 5.6 percent over last year

WASHINGTON, November 15, 2018 – Retail sales in October increased 0.4 percent over September on a seasonally adjusted basis and were up 5.6 percent year-over-year unadjusted, according to calculations released today by the National Retail Federation. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants. “Today’s pickup in retail sales shows a healthy pace of spending and a sign of ongoing consumer... Read More
Strong U.S. job growth good sign for holiday sales, retail employment nearly unchanged from September News Press releases 

Strong U.S. job growth good sign for holiday sales, retail employment nearly unchanged from September

WASHINGTON, November 2, 2018 – Retail industry employment in October remained essentially unchanged from September, dropping only 900 jobs despite the loss of 8,800 jobs year-over-year in the face of two major hurricanes since Labor Day, the National Retail Federation said today. The numbers exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants. Overall, U.S. businesses added 250,000 jobs in October –... Read More
NRF: Consumers will spend 4.1 percent more than last year during winter holidays Market research News 

NRF: Consumers will spend 4.1 percent more than last year during winter holidays

WASHINGTON, October 24, 2018 – Consumers say they will spend an average of $1,007.24 during the holiday season this year, up 4.1 percent from the $967.13 they said they would spend last year, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. “The holidays are just around the corner and consumers are... Read More
September retail sales increased 3 percent over last year News Press releases 

September retail sales increased 3 percent over last year

WASHINGTON, October 15, 2018 – Retail sales in September increased 0.4 percent over August on a seasonally adjusted basis and were up 3 percent year-over-year unadjusted, according to calculations released today by the National Retail Federation. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants. “Retail sales were somewhat softer than expected in September and some of the weakness can be attributed... Read More
NRF study says consumers shop at discount retailers regardless of age or income Market research Press releases 

NRF study says consumers shop at discount retailers regardless of age or income

WASHINGTON, October 11, 2018 – Almost all U.S. consumers are value-conscious shoppers who regularly visit discount retailers to find a bargain, according to the latest issue of the quarterly Consumer View report released today by the National Retail Federation. “Looking for the best price is a habit that cuts across almost every demographic,” NRF Vice President for Research Development and... Read More