Holiday Shopping Momentum Continues - Holiday Sales Watch Report 2

Retailers Report Robust Sales Through Mid-December

ALBANY, NY (12/15/2010)(readMedia)-- Consumers didn't take their typical post-Black Friday shopping break say members of the Retail Council of New York State who reported robust mid-season sales this week. Sixty percent of merchants surveyed by the Retail Council on Dec. 13 and 14 were pleased with sales activity since Black Friday weekend. Eighty percent indicated sales were better than or the same as their sales for the same period of time last year.

Retailers throughout the state reported the results through the Retail Council's annual "Holiday Sales Watch," a periodic snapshot of sales activity in stores small and large. This second Holiday Sales Watch gauged retailers' perceptions of sales activity since Black Friday weekend.

"Retail sales usually slip in the first two weeks of December as consumers recover from the Black Friday weekend shopping frenzy," said Retail Council President and Chief Executive Officer James R. Sherin. "Many consumers are clearly in a spending mood and we'll be eager to see if the momentum continues through the critical week before Christmas."

Top sellers since Black Friday weekend include gift cards/certificates, electronics (televisions, mobile devices and e-readers), clothing, jewelry, books and home goods (small home appliances and décor).

"With the cooperation of Mother Nature, many retailers are looking to end the season on a positive note," Sherin said.

Hot Sellers - 2010 Holiday Season

For Girls: Barbie, dolls (generic), Dora the Explorer, video games, Disney Princess, Zhu Zhu Pets, American Girl, Disney Hannah Montana, Bratz

For Boys: Video Games, LEGO, Cars (generic), Disney Toy Story, Hot Wheels, Transformers, Xbox 360, Iron Man, Nintendo Wii, Trucks (generic)

About the Retail Council of New York State:

The "Voice of Retailing" in New York state, the Retail Council represents thousands of member stores of all size and variety. The Retail Council offers money-saving group benefit programs and government relations expertise to its members. For more information, please visit www.retailcouncilnys.com.

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