NPD Group: Hot start to holiday season for some retailers
Helped by the weather, some retailers are getting a jump-start on holiday sales.
Dollar sales in the first week of November 2017 were 2% higher than they were in the year-ago period, with small home appliances and apparel the primary growth drivers, according to the NPD Group. The top performing categories were apparel (driven by outerwear), men's and boys' apparel (sweats/active bottoms), home environment appliances (heaters) and stereo headphones.
"Holiday 2017 appears to be heating up a bit earlier than the 2016 season, thanks in-part to a dramatic change to cooler weather in parts of the U.S.,” said NPD chief industry analyst Marshal Cohen “The home-industry’s hot-streak, driven by the consumer’s focus on enhancing their everyday lives, will likely continue through the holiday season. The apparel industry’s challenge will be to keep this early momentum going, and not sell out on the products driving early growth.”
Cohen said that the early shopper appears to be engaged, it will be important to keep an eye on shopping patterns throughout the holiday season.
“While consumer intentions indicate a move from late-season shopping to Thanksgiving week, the extra shopping week before Christmas will be critical for retailers looking to get that last holiday push," he noted.
Dollar sales in the first week of November 2017 were 2% higher than they were in the year-ago period, with small home appliances and apparel the primary growth drivers, according to the NPD Group. The top performing categories were apparel (driven by outerwear), men's and boys' apparel (sweats/active bottoms), home environment appliances (heaters) and stereo headphones.
"Holiday 2017 appears to be heating up a bit earlier than the 2016 season, thanks in-part to a dramatic change to cooler weather in parts of the U.S.,” said NPD chief industry analyst Marshal Cohen “The home-industry’s hot-streak, driven by the consumer’s focus on enhancing their everyday lives, will likely continue through the holiday season. The apparel industry’s challenge will be to keep this early momentum going, and not sell out on the products driving early growth.”
Cohen said that the early shopper appears to be engaged, it will be important to keep an eye on shopping patterns throughout the holiday season.
“While consumer intentions indicate a move from late-season shopping to Thanksgiving week, the extra shopping week before Christmas will be critical for retailers looking to get that last holiday push," he noted.