Content about National Retail Federation

WASHINGTON — Retail sales were up slightly in January as the increases in payroll taxes and energy prices forced consumers to change spending habits, according to a new report by the National Retail Federation.

NEW YORK — Despite caution among consumers, retailers wrapped up 2012 with a healthy holiday shopping season, according to a new report by a retailing trade group.

The National Retail Federation said Tuesday that holiday retail sales increased 3% over the year before, to $579.8 billion. December retail sales increased 0.8% seasonally adjusted from November and 2.1% unadjusted year over year. Nevertheless, the 3% increase was still below the NRF's projected 4.1% growth. Meanwhile, nonstore holiday sales grew 11.1%.

WASHINGTON — Consumer spending could drop by almost $200 billion next year while depressing real consumer-spending growth by 1.7% if middle-class taxes rise in response to the fiscal cliff, according to a report released Monday by a White House economic team.

CHICAGO — According to a recent BDO USA survey, chief marketing officers at leading U.S. retailers expect a 3.7% increase in holiday comparable store sales, marking the survey’s most optimistic forecast since 2007, when CMOs projected a 5% increase in comparable store sales.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — There’s good news for the upcoming holiday selling season. The National Retail Federation said September retail sales — excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants — increased 0.4%, seasonally adjusted from August and 2.1% unadjusted year-over-year.

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales in August reflected a solid back-to-school season.

The Census Bureau announced that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for August, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $403.9 billion, an increase of 0.9% from the previous month and 4.7% above August 2011. Retail trade sales were up 0.9% from July and 4.4% above last year.

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales experienced a small gain during the hottest month of the year, the Census Bureau reported.

The Census Bureau announced that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for July, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $403.9 billion, an increase of 0.8% from the previous month and 4.1% above July 2011. Retail trade sales were up 0.8% from June and 3.7% above last year.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation reiterated its call on Congress to address a loophole that allows most online sellers to avoid sales tax collection to the detriment of local retailers and communities.

"Our current sales tax system is broken. It favors one set of retailers over another, hurts job growth, and threatens the economic health of local communities," NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said. "We can't allow an antiquated decision to unfairly disadvantage Main Street in a time when it's already fighting to stay afloat."

WASHINGTON — A survey released by the National Retail Federation and conducted by BIGInsight found that the average parent will spend $688.62 on back-to-school items this year, compared with $603.63 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $30.3 billion.

NRF cited an increased number of children entering elementary and middle school this fall, as well as necessary back-to-school replenishments after last year’s cutbacks, for the predicted improvements.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has appointed a retail technology veteran to serve as its VP retail technologies.

Effective July 2, Tom Litchford will lead and manage NRF's Association for Retail Technology Standards and the exclusive, invite-only CIO Council. He will be responsible for developing and enhancing strategic programs, activities and relationships with retail and technology communities both domestically and internationally.

WASHINGTON — After a strong first quarter, consumers in May took a more practical approach to their spending. According to a National Retail Federation release on Wednesday, May retail sales (excluding automobile, gas stations and restaurants) decreased 0.3% seasonally adjusted from April but increased 4.8% unadjusted year over year, marking 23 consecutive months of retail sales growth.