Retailers Merry About Holiday Sales

Holiday Sales Watch - Report 3

ALBANY, NY (12/30/2011)(readMedia)-- Visions of a successful holiday season danced in many a retailer's head as consumers rushed to stores the critical week before Christmas to finish lengthy lists. Members of the Retail Council of New York State awarded the season an "A-" letter grade in response to the strong finale.

Eighty percent of retailers polled by the Retail Council of New York State said their week-before-Christmas sales were better than or the same as their sales during the same week in 2010. Armed with gift cards, shoppers hit stores again on Monday, Dec. 26 buoying after-Christmas sales. Sixty-five percent of participating merchants said their after-Christmas sales to date have been better than or the same as their sales for the same time period in 2010.

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 third Holiday Sales Watch was conducted Dec. 28 and 29 and gauged retailers' perceptions of sales activity the week before and just after Christmas. This report concludes the Council's assessment of the holiday season.

"The average shopper had completed less than 50 percent of his gift buying by mid-December so we had a hunch retailers would have a robust week before Christmas," said Retail Council President and Chief Executive Officer James R. Sherin. "Couple this news with the start of Hanukkah on Dec. 20, extra shopping time with Christmas Eve falling on a Saturday and cold, but clear weather and you have the makings for great sales in the crucial days leading up to Christmas."

Retail sales have flourished all season long, reflecting improved consumer confidence. Eighty-five percent of merchants surveyed by the Retail Council reported solid sales activity following a record-breaking Black Friday weekend. The momentum continued through mid-December, exciting many retailers who anticipated a lull in sales before gift buying ramped up again the week before Christmas. Seventy-eight percent of surveyed merchants reported sales were the same as or better than 2010 sales through mid-December.

"Another long New Year's weekend should further boost sales," said Sherin. "In this post-recession economy it's hard to predict with any certainty how willing consumers are to spend. Shoppers surprised us once again with their buying power."

Hot Sellers - 2011 Holiday Season

For Girls: Barbie, dolls (generic), Disney Princess and Monster High Dolls, Leapfrog, American Girl, video games, Elmo and Lalaloopsy, Dora the Explorer, Nintendo DS

For Boys: Video Games, LEGO, Cars (generic), Transformers, Hot Wheels, Disney Cars, Xbox 360, Elmo, Nintendo DS, Trucks (generic)

For Adults: Gift cards/certificates, electronics (televisions, mobile devices and e-readers), clothing, jewelry, books and home goods (small home appliances and décor)

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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