Holiday Packaging: Retailers Overcome Uncertainty and Sales Meet Expectations

However as difficult And focused on discounts as Never, consumers bought enough on THE course of THE season has enable retailers has come out with low single digit sales gains, meeting expectations.

WE. retail sales increased 3.1 percent Year after year This vacation season, according to has preliminary knowledge Since MasterCard ExpensesPulse released Tuesday.

MasterCard results are base on at the store And online retail sales through all shapes of payment For THE Nov. 1 has Dec. 24 period. THE The figures exclude automobile sales And are not adjusted For inflation, which In THE WE. was 3.1 percent as of last November.

"This vacation season, THE consumer watch up, expenses In A voluntary manner," Michelle Meyer, THE chief economist has THE MasterCard Economy Institute, said In A statement Tuesday. "THE economic background remains favorable with in good health job creation And relaxation inflation the pressures, accountability consumers has seek THE goods And experiences they value most of them. »

Slightly below MasterCard forecast was A Since Customer Growth The partners, THE research And consultant farm, which estimated WE. retail sales For THE November has December period has 2.4 percent in front of last year, above It is earlier forecast of 2.1 percent.

"Great SATURDAY was THE number one day of THE year with total sales of $47 billion exceeding THE $42.6 billion For Black Friday," said Craig Johnson, The CGPs president. The CGPs The figures TO DO not include restaurant Or automobile sales, which could explain Why It is vacation figure East lower that Mastercard.

Mass traders, off-prices, electrical outlets, House repair And active/athletic retailers successful THE best This vacation, among them Walmart, Target, Costco, T.J. Maxx, Lululemon, Dick Sporty Goods, Academy Sports + Outside And Amazon, retail sources said WWD. THE National Retail Federation projects A 3 has 4 percent Year after year growth In sales during November And December, excluding inflation, Translating has A expenses range of $957.3 billion has $966.6 billion.

This week, retailers look Before has buyers to come back has stores has exchange merchandise And redeem gift cards, including A heavy turn out of children And teenagers WHO are disabled Since school. Discount will be steeper that last week, as retailers look has clear seasonal some products has TO DO path For spring goods. It is about A three weeks process going Before. With THE benign weather report In December, there East A glut of outerwear And cold temperature accessories Or discounts should be deep.

Vacation retail purchases Evan Angelastro/WWD

In most categories, However, retailers benefited Since THE largely dry, out of season hot weather report during THE vacation season, favorable For conduct has shopping centers. Reta...