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NRF forecasts slower sales for 2013
Washington, D.C. -- Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 3.4%, down slightly from 4.2% in 2012 and 5.8% in 2011, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2013 economic forecast.
The lukewarm forecast, released Monday, comes on the heels of a holiday season that went head-to-head with Washington’s political wrangling over fiscal concerns, shifting consumers’ spending plans downward. In the end, holiday sales in 2012 grew 3.0%.
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Saks amps up omni-channel strategy
Saks Fifth Avenue is amping up its omni-channel strategy by updating its SaksFirst loyalty program and adding free shipping. The changes will make the benefits of the program more consistent across Saks’ different channels.
On Thursday, Saks announced that all Saks cardholders will now receive free shipping from Saks stores, Saks.com and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th stores.