Retail sales in November increased .9 percent over October on a seasonally adjusted basis, and were up 6 percent year-over-year unadjusted, according to calculations from the National Retail Federation released today. Online and other non-store sales grew 10.5 percent year-over-year, reflecting the growth of online shopping. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants.
November’s results indicate that retail sales for the holiday season, defined as November and December, are on track to meet or exceed NRF’s holiday sales forecast for an increase between 3.6 and 4 percent over last year.