CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor: Retail sales extend gains in January
Health and personal care stores were up nearly 6% year over year in January as overall retail sales continued to advance, NRF reported.
NRF
Global Port Tracker forecasts import slowdown tied to tariffs
Ben Hackett, founder of Hackett Associates, said tariffs have brought “a global change in trade relations” that is complicating forecasting.
Consumer spending on Valentine’s Day poised to reach new heights
Shoppers are budgeting a record $199.78 on average for gifts.
U.S. port imports expected to turn positive by late spring
Trade policy remains a significant variable in the outlook for 2026.
Import volumes slump as trade policy clouds 2026 outlook
tariffs and trade policy uncertainty persistently affect demand,
NRF: Thanksgiving holiday weekend draws a record 203 million shoppers
Consumers turned out both in-store and online throughout the five days.
NRF Foundation names top three teams for 2026 University Challenge
“This year’s finalists have demonstrated exceptional creativity, collaboration and strategic thinking.”
NRF predicts record 187 million Thanksgiving weekend shoppers
Black Friday is the top shopping day, with 70% of consumers planning to take advantage of deals.
Seasonal hiring falls to post-recession low
The decline reflects a broader shift in how retailers manage labor costs amid tariffs, inflation, and automation investments.
NRF sees holiday sales surpassing $1 trillion
U.S. consumers are approaching the 2025 holiday season with caution but also confidence.
NRF Global Port Tracker shows year-end import slowdown
After an initial surge in shipments to counter tariff uncertainty, November and December are expected to be the slowest months of 2025.
Retail holiday spend to surpass $1 trillion in 2025, NRF forecast finds
Consumers report they expect to spend an average of $890.49 per person on gifts, food, décor, and other seasonal purchases.
NRF unveils 2026 Class of Retail Voices in partnership with RETHINK Retail
Honorees to be recognized at NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show in New York.
Holiday budgets hold steady despite inflation
Shoppers are resilient, planning to spend only 1.3% less than last year’s record. Retailers expect early deal-hunting and a long shopping season into December.
Unhappy returns: Consumers expected to return almost $850 billion in merchandise in 2025
The returns rate is in line with 16.9% last year, when returns totaled $890 billion.
NRF and Georgetown McDonough launch NRF Business of Retail Initiative
The initiative will establish the first National Retail Federation Chair in Retail Studies, the NRF Summit, and two NRF MBA Fellows, as well as research grants to shape the future of retail.