Seasonal

Deloitte is out with its holiday sales forecast (up 3.5%-4%) and soon other prognosticators will weigh in with their seasonal outlooks.

For now, Deloitte is a lone voice in late September projecting holiday sales will increase between 3.5% and 4%, noting that the economy's health and the presidential election are taking center stage with consumers this fall. Despite the distractions a modest increase is expected, but the gain will be below last year’s growth rate of 5.9%.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General is promising big savings on toys -- right up until Christmas Eve. From Sept. 29 through Dec. 24, the retailer is offering a 10% discount on toy purchases of $75 or more.

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Stride Rite is giving young girls the ultimate fairy tale experience with special in-store Cinderella shoe fittings and the chance to win a hometown screening of a Disney fairy tale.

New York -- Total holiday sales are expected to climb to between $920 and $925 billion, representing a modest 3.5% to 4% increase in November through January holiday sales (excluding motor vehicles and gasoline) over last season, according to Deloitte’s holiday forecast. The forecast is below last year's 5.9% gain.

Each year, since the “big recession,” retailers have been putting out their holiday decorations and starting their promotional sales as early as mid-October. It used to be that Black Friday was the kick-off that got everyone out to the stores in search of that must-have discounted gift for their loved ones. This year, however, the calendar barely hit September and I saw Christmas trees on display at my local Costco and retailers announcing their layaway program incentives.

Deloitte is forecasting holiday sales will increase between 3.5% and 4% as the economy's health and the presidential election take center stage among consumers this fall.

Despite some distractions this year, retailers should expect a modest increase in 2012 holiday sales, according to Deloitte’s annual holiday forecast release Tuesday morning.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us is getting ready for the increased demand this holiday season by hiring 45,000 seasonal employees to staff its stores and distribution centers across the country this holiday season.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us said Tuesday it will hire 45,000 seasonal employees for the 2012 holiday season, about 5,000 more than last year.
 
The increase, said the retailer, is driven in part by the addition of positions resulting from omnichannel programs such as "Buy Online, Pick Up In Store," "Ship from Store" and "Ship to Store."