With increases in consumer spending expected to remain solid during the remainder of the year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) says retail sales for 2016 are now expected to grow 3.4 percent over last year, rather than the 3.1 percent forecasted earlier. Online and other non-store sales, which are included in the overall figure, are expected to increase 7 to 10 percent year-over-year rather than the 6 to 9 percent forecast earlier.
Retail sales in the first half of 2016 performed at a solid pace, growing close to 4 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to NRF calculations, which exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants. NRF expects gross domestic product to grow between 1.9 and 2.4 percent.
NRF is watching economic developments closely and will evaluate any changes to its forecast as necessary. If needed, the next update to forecast will come as part of NRF’s annual holiday forecast in October.
