Content about National Retail Federation

The problem with shoplifting these days isn’t Little Johnny pocketing a pack of bubblegum, Joe LaRocca, senior asset protection adviser for the National Retail Federation, recently told CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” during a broadcast interview. No, it’s a lot of Little Johnnies who are systematically swiping the entire gum display that’s becoming the problem. 


WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation described the 2011 holiday season as "average," projecting that holiday sales will rise 2.8% to $465.6 billion.

While that growth is far lower than the 5.2% increase retailers experienced last year, it is slightly higher than the 10-year average holiday sales increase, according to Department of Commerce statistics.

WASHINGTON — Retailers shouldn't be fearful of Halloween, as more consumers are expected to celebrate the holiday this year, the National Retail Federation said.

According to NRF’s 2011 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey conducted by BIGresearch, 7-in-10 Americans (68.6%) plan to celebrate Halloween, up from 63.8% last year and the most in NRF’s 10-year survey history. Additionally, the average consumer will shell out $72.31 on decorations, costumes and candy, up from $66.28 last year. Total Halloween spending is expected to reach $6.86 billion.

WASHINGTON — Expect flat back-to-school sales this year as parents continue to be cautious with their spending, the National Retail Federation found in its latest survey.

In its back-to-school survey, conducted by BIGresearch, NRF found that consumers are purchasing more store-brand or generic items (39.9%), comparison shopping more online (29.8%) and shopping for sales (50%). Additionally, nearly half of survey respondents said the economy is forcing them to simply spend less in general (43.7%).

Back-to-college merchandise is big business. “College students are starting to represent the most important segment of the back-to-school market,” said Perry James, an analyst with the NPD Group. The segment has grown, Perry said, since the weak job market has caused many college seniors to extend their education through graduate school.

WASHINGTON — Consumers will show their love for Dad this year by spending more on Father's Day gifts than in the prior year, according to the National Retail Federation.

According to NRF’s Consumer Intentions and Actions Father’s Day survey, conducted by BIGresearch, U.S. consumers will spend an average of $106.49, up from $94.32 last year and the most in the survey’s eight-year history. What's more, the spending gap between Mother's Day and Father's Day substantially has narrowed.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation announced that it is endorsing legislation that would repeal the employer mandate provision of last year’s healthcare-reform law.

WASHINGTON — Retailers may be worried that the late Easter holiday could negatively impact sales, but a new survey conducted on behalf of the National Retail Federation noted that consumers intend to spend more this year than in 2010.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation said legislation introduced Tuesday to delay swipe fee reform, which is scheduled to go into effect this summer, would block retailers from giving discounts to consumers who use debit cards and would cost merchants and the public more than $1 billion per month.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation warned federal transportation officials that transportation costs would increase by up to 20% in some cases if a proposal to limit the number of hours truck drivers spend behind the wheel each day goes into effect.

In addition to dramatically increasing costs, the safety proposal also would make highways a little less safe for the general public by putting more trucks on the road during the most congested hours, the NRF argued.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday reported that retail sales continue on a positive trend, edging up 0.3% for the month of January.

The increase to $381.6 billion marked the seventh consecutive month of gains for retail sales. Total sales for the month were above the year-ago period by 7.8%.

The report also noted that grocery stores experienced a 1.4% increase to nearly $45 million for the month, while health and personal care stores sales rose 0.5% to about $22.3 million.