By Bill Martin, ShopperTrak Founder

Up to 60% more shoppers will enter stores on Dec. 26 than on the same day last year, according to ShopperTrak, the world's largest provider of retail and mall foot traffic counting services.

Retail sales will rise 3% percent during November and December compared to the year-ago period, but foot traffic will decrease 2.2%, according to ShopperTrak.

Year-over-year retail sales increased 6.5% for the week ending Jan. 1, according to ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate, while the company’s Retail Traffic Index (SRTI) reported foot traffic rose 4.1% for the same period.

Boosted by a very weak comparison period, ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE) reported that total GAFO retail sales for the last Saturday before Christmas (12/18), or Super Saturday, increased a sharp 15.1% compared with last year, while the company’s retail traffic index (SRTI) reported a similar 10.1% total U.S. foot traffic uptick for the same period.

Better-than-expected response to early sales promotions mixed with relatively mild weather throughout the country are already driving holiday traffic to malls and retail outlets have caused ShopperTrak to up its 2010 holiday forecast.

A report released Wednesday by ShopperTrak found that total GAFO (general merchandise, apparel, furniture, sporting...

Sales during the upcoming holiday shopping season are expected to increase 2.9% versus last year,...

A report released Thursday by ShopperTrak found that year-over-year GAFO (general merchandise, apparel, furniture, sporting...

Year-over-year GAFO retail sales increased 3.3% for the week ending Sept. 18, while sales were...

Year-over-year GAFO (general merchandise, apparel, furniture, sporting goods, electronics, hobby, books and other related store...

A report released Wednesday by ShopperTrak found that year-over-year GAFO retail sales increased 6% for...