Sponsored Links

Recommended Newsletters

Reuters U.S. Top News
A quick-fix on the day's news published with Reuters videos and award-winning news photography and delivered at your choice of one of four times during the day.
Reuters Deals Today
The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day.
Reuters Technology Report
Your daily briefing on the latest tech developments from around the world from Reuters expert tech correspondents.
Full List of Available Newsletters

Retail sales will rise 4 percent in 2011: NRF

Shoppers depart with their bags at Toys R Us on Black Friday in New York November 26, 2010. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi

Shoppers depart with their bags at Toys R Us on Black Friday in New York November 26, 2010.

Credit: Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi

NEW YORK | Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:17am EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The National Retail Federation said it expects U.S. retail sales to rise 4 percent in 2011, continuing a trend of improving consumer spending last year that intensified over the holidays.

The industry group said that stronger-than-expected sales in November and December made it "cautiously optimistic" that shoppers will further increase spending this year.

"With retailers leading the charge, the economic recovery appears to be gaining some steam," NRF Chief Executive Matthew Shay said in a statement.

But the NRF warned that reluctance of small businesses to add employees and higher gasoline prices could yet slow consumer spending.

U.S. retailers rang up their best holiday sales in six years, with the 2010 season's sales up 5.7 percent, according to the NRF. The NRF had forecast a 3.3 percent increase. The NRF forecasts exclude online sales, cars, gasoline and restaurants.

(Reporting by Phil Wahba; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)
We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/
Comments (1)
MSM495 wrote:
I don’t understand the logic to this article, and i doubt if the author does either. Due to cotton-raws increases 4-10% , price increases are expected in retail. Core inflation based on January numbers suggest annual inflation will be 9.6% so saying that sales will be up 5% really suggests that sales will fall.

Feb 17, 2011 6:07am EST  --  Report as abuse
This discussion is now closed. We welcome comments on our articles for a limited period after their publication.
See All Comments »