A sluggish economic recovery will prevent sales from rising more than 2.8% this holiday season, according to analytics firm RetailNext.
Last week, the National Retail Federation estimated a 3.7% increase in holiday sales, slightly less than last year. Deloitte also called for a 3.5% to 4% increase. This week the International Council of Shopping Centers predicted a 3.3% increase.
RetailNext's forecast for U.S. retail stores this holiday season (November – December) includes: