2021 holiday sales projected to hit new records
Sales are projected to grow as much as 10.5%
The nation’s largest retail trade group projected Wednesday that holiday sales may "shatter previous records" even with the economy facing a range of headwinds including supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures to widespread labor shortages.
Over the next two months, the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimated that spending could grow as much as 10.5% over 2020, with total sales reaching between $843.4 billion and $859 billion. By comparison, sales grew 8.2% to $777.3 billion in 2020.
"There is considerable momentum heading into the holiday shopping season," NRF CEO Matthew Shay said.
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Last year, digital channels saw "extraordinary growth" as more consumers turned to their computers to purchase gifts rather than going to physical stores. However, online sales and other non-store purchases this season are projected to far surpass 2020 figures.
A person walks by a retail clothing store in Valley West Mall in West Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File / AP Newsroom)
Online sales and other non-store purchases alone are projected to reach between $218.3 billion and $226.2 billion, up from $196.7 billion a year ago, according to NRF.
These figures underscore the notion that consumers have more spending power as the year winds to a close, according to NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz.
"The unusual and beneficial position we find ourselves in is that households have increased spending vigorously throughout most of 2021 and remain with plenty of holiday purchasing power," Kleinhenz said.
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To keep up with the demand, Shay noted that "retailers are making significant investments in their supply chains and spending heavily to ensure they have products on their shelves."
Kleinhenz noted that retailers still need to be wary of inventory levels early on in the season, which could make or break their holiday sales.
"With the prospect of consumers seeking to shop early, inventories may be pulled down sooner and shortages may develop in the later weeks of the shopping season," he said. "However, if retailers can keep merchandise on the shelves and merchandise arrives before Christmas, it could be a stellar holiday sales season."