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WASHINGTON – Holiday retail sales during 2019 grew 4.1% over the same period in 2018 to $730.2 billion, according to a recent report from the National Retail Federation (NRF). Grocery and beverage stores were up 2.9% year over year. In addition, online and other non-store sales were up 14.6% year over year.
“Having spent time with top retail leaders from around the world at our annual convention, and spending time at the White House with government policy makers and economists, these numbers validate continued optimism for increased investment and opportunity in the retail industry,” NRF president and chief executive officer Matthew Shay said. “This is a consumer-driven economy, and by any measure, the consumer has put the economy in a solid position for continued growth. This is a strong finish to the holiday season, and we think it’s a positive indicator of what’s ahead.”
NRF forecast in October that 2019 holiday sales during November and December would increase between 3.8% and 4.2% for a total of between $727.9 billion and $730.7 billion. The growth rate reported is nearly double the weak 2.1% seen during the 2018 holiday season, which was slowed by a government shutdown, stock market volatility and interest rate hikes. Sales during December 2018 were down 0.2% from the year before.
“This was a healthy holiday season, especially compared with the decline in retail sales we saw at the end of the season in 2018,” NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “Despite a late Thanksgiving and worries about tariffs, the consumer didn’t go away.”
