Deloitte: Total holiday sales to rise 4% to 4.5%; non-store sales up 14%

New York -- Total holiday sales are expected to rise 4% to 4.5% over last season, totaling between $981 and $986 billion, according to Deloitte’s annual retail holiday sales forecast. The growth represents a moderate improvement over last year’s 2.8% gain.



Additionally, Deloitte forecasts a 13.5% to 14% increase in non-store sales in the online and mail order channels during the 2014 holiday season.



Digital interactions will influence 50%, or $345 billion, of retail stores sales this holiday season. (This metric reflects the extent to which consumers’ use of desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones influence brick-and-mortar store sales.)



“While online sales continue to climb, digital customer interactions through both virtual and physical store channels present greater sales opportunities than online or mobile commerce alone,” said Alison Paul, vice chairman, Deloitte LLP and retail and distribution sector leader. “Our research indicates that 84% of shoppers use digital tools before and during their trip to a store. Additionally, those shoppers convert, or make a purchase, at a 40% higher rate than those who do not use such devices during their shopping journey.”



Paul advised retailers to focus on the right functionality, as opposed to more functionality, when creating digital experiences this holiday season.



“Rather than offer their full e-commerce site on a mobile device, for example, retailers may be more effective by helping consumers compare prices, scan through local assortments, and navigate the store,” she said. “Retailers that better understand how consumers make purchasing decisions, then deliver tools that support that process in a way that is consistent and complementary across online, mobile and store channels — may have the advantage this holiday season.”



According to Deloitte, income, wage and job growth are positive indicators for retailers heading into the holiday season.



“Debt levels remain at historical lows, and stock market gains coupled with increasing home prices have a wealth effect on consumers, which may encourage increased spending compared with prior years,” said Daniel Bachman, Deloitte’s senior U.S. economist. “Although consumers are watching tensions unfold in the Middle East and Ukraine, the improvement in their economic situation should more than offset the foreign conflicts’ impact on consumer confidence and retail sales. Despite recent events in energy-producing areas of the world, gas prices have held steady, which may also sustain consumers’ spending power.”