Winter Holidays

The nation’s largest specialty toy retailer finds itself in a sweet spot as its most critical selling season approaches.   After years of just cutting costs, Toys “R” Us is starting to put money back into operations, as it looks to grow sales and traffic, Bloomberg reported. And for the first time in a while, the company is building inventory.  

Nearly half of holiday shoppers will hit the stores before Nov. 1 — and many will be looking for deals.   That’s according to a report by RetailMeNot, a digital savings destination connecting consumers with retailers, restaurants and brands, both online and in-store. Seventy-three percent of shoppers said they plan to shop in brick-and-mortar stores this season, and 50% said that the deals they find will help them determine which days to shop in-store.      

Hhgregg Inc. is the latest retailer to give its store employees off for Thanksgiving Day.   The appliances and consumer electronics retailer announced it will close its 220 stores on the holiday, and reopen them at 7 a.m. on Black Friday.  To date, approximately 42 national retailers and the nation’s largest mall have announced they will not be open on turkey day (see list at end of story.)  

Yet another holiday forecast brings more good cheer to retailers.   Consumers plan to spend an average of $636 on holiday-related expenses, up 3% from what they anticipated last year, according to The NPD Group’s 2016 Holiday Purchase Intentions Survey. They are also less concerned this year about the economy spoiling their holiday fun. When asked how the state of the economy will influence holiday purchases in 2016, the 12% who said it will have a “significant impact” is down from recent years (14% in 2015, 19% in 2014).

Move over Black Friday.   The biggest shopping day in terms of holiday sales is expected to be Friday, Dec. 23, while the biggest day in terms of store traffic is expected to be Saturday, Dec. 17, according to RetailNext Inc. (See lists at end of story.) It’s the first time in many years that Black Friday failed to top either of the lists.    

It’s that time of the year again — specifically, time for the holiday forecasts to start pouring in.

Let’s start with the good news. Early reports are calling for a solid season, with Deloitte predicting a 3.6% to 4% increase in total retail sales over last year.

As for the upcoming presidential election, it may be a temporary distraction in the early part of the holiday shopping season, but it’s not expected to have a negative impact on total sales. In fact, if past years are any indication, retailers may even benefit from a pickup in postelection consumer spending.

In a bold stand, Mall of America will be closed on turkey day this year.     The mall, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, has been open for business on the holiday for the past four years. The 5.6 million-sq.-ft. mall has more than 520 stores and restaurants, and a number of attractions.      “In years past we’ve all rallied together to answer the call for 24/7 shopper access that the Thanksgiving/Black Friday weekend brings.”   

Between a partnership with Sonos and its expansion into the boutique hotel business, it’s been a busy couple of weeks for West Elm. And with it all, the home furnishings retailer continues to grow its core business.   West Elm will open its third store in Nevada, in Downtown Summerline, on Oct. 6. As part of the retailer’s Local program, eight Nevada-based makers and designers will sell their products with the store’s holiday assortment of modern furnishings and décor.