Retail sales show some momentum into the holiday season - NRF

[Happy friends buying clothes at an outlet store]
Hispanolistic/E+ via Getty Images

Retail sales showed a solid bounce in October, according to the National Retail Federation.

"Recent economic data has been mixed, yet consumer spending remains solid—supported by wage growth outpacing inflation, historically low unemployment, and wealth effects from strong stock market valuations," highlighted National Retail Federation CEO Matthew Shay. "These factors point to continued momentum heading into the holidays as consumers focus on family, friends, and finding value to make their budgets go further," he added.

Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, were reported to be up 0.6% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 5% unadjusted year over year in October. The Retail Monitor calculation of core retail sales (excluding restaurants in addition to automobile dealers and gasoline stations) was also up 0.6% month over month in September and up 4.89% year over year.

October sales were up in all but two of nine categories on a yearly basis and were also up in all but two categories on a monthly basis. Standout categories included clothing and accessories stores (up 1.4% M/M and 7.9% Y/Y) and digital products (up 2.0% M/M and 22.4% Y/Y).

The October results come as NRF is forecasting that 2025 holiday sales will increase between 3.7% and 4.2% compared with 2024 to just over $1 trillion.

MORE ON THE RETAIL SECTOR

* Wall Street Lunch: Gen Z Gets Grinchy [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4818976-wall-street-lunch-gen-z-plans-to-slash-holiday-budget]
* XRT: A Guide To Understanding The Most Prominent U.S. Retail ETF [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4817163-xrt-guide-to-understanding-most-prominent-us-retail-etf]
* E-commerce sales surged in October amid generative AI push and heavy promotions [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4519082-e-commerce-sales-surged-in-october-amid-generative-ai-push-and-heavy-promotions]
* Consumers may be gearing for more holiday shopping than anticipated [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4509233-consumers-may-be-gearing-for-more-holiday-shopping-than-anticipated]
* Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating on SPDR® S&P Retail ETF [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/XRT/ratings/quant-ratings]