signs point to strong us shopping season
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

In the world's biggest economy spent

Signs point to strong US shopping season

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Signs point to strong US shopping season

Cold weather and a Monday Christmas helped boost US sales during the 2017 holiday shopping season
New York - Al Maghrib Today

Americans shopped with greater gusto at malls and online this holiday season amid a strong labor market and cold winter weather, retail sales experts said Tuesday.

Shoppers in the world's biggest economy spent generously over the "Black Friday" weekend in late November that kicks off the US holiday shopping season, and buying picked up further in December, analysts said.

Retail experts won't have the final tally on the overall holiday season until January. That will include figures from the day-after Christmas, "Boxing Day," which is usually one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

But early figures point to a good year overall. Mastercard SpendingPulse estimated sales growth for the season at 4.9 percent, the strongest annual boost since 2011.

"Overall, this year was a big win for retail," said Sarah Quinlan, senior vice president of market insights at Mastercard.

"The strong US economy was a contributing factor, but we also have to recognize that retailers who tried new strategies to engage holiday shoppers were the beneficiaries of this sales increase."

IHS Markit pointed to strong macroeconomic factors such as a 17-year high in US consumer confidence in November and a 17-year low in unemployment that allowed consumers to open their wallets.

Chilly weather in much of the country also supported sales of jackets and other winter apparel, said Chris Christopher, executive director at IHS Markit.

"There was a significant ramp-up of holiday sales," said Christopher, who shifted his projection midway through December to 4.7 percent growth for the season from an earlier mark of 4.2 percent growth.

"Everything is pointing to a good holiday season."

The passage of a massive tax cut bill by Republicans in Congress and pushed by President Donald Trump also likely lifted spending somewhat, although Christopher noted that "things were going strong before that."

Analysts also noted the favorable calendar with Christmas falling on Monday and allowing last-minute shopping over the weekend.

- Retail reprieve? -

The upbeat appraisals boosted shares of leading retailers, a sector that has seen myriad bankruptcies and store closures with the growth of Amazon and other online retailers, at the expense of the traditional American shopping mall.

Most brick-and-mortar chains saw their share prices rise in afternoon trading Monday, including Wal-Mart Stores, up 1.0 percent, Macy's, up 4.6 percent, Gap, up 1.5 percent and mall operator Simon Property Group, up 1.4 percent.

While the higher stock valuations reflect an improved outlook, most leading chains won't report earnings until February. In recent years, retailers have struggled to maintain solid profit margins due to the need for aggressive price promotion and enhanced spending on e-commerce initiatives.

Amazon gained 0.7 percent after announcing a number of records of its own, pointing to strong increases of "Prime" subscribers and of sales of its artificial intelligence "Echo" devices.

Amazon said its biggest day in terms of customer "fulfillment" -- or the delivery of packages to customers from its network of suppliers and warehouses -- was December 19.

The most requested recipe to Amazon's Alexa program was for chocolate chip cookies, while the most sought-after Christmas carol was "Jingle Bells."

Source: AFP

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

signs point to strong us shopping season signs point to strong us shopping season

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

signs point to strong us shopping season signs point to strong us shopping season

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today The Rake announces editorial updates

GMT 10:46 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

The Rake announces editorial updates
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Europe brings on charm and blue skies

GMT 11:51 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Europe brings on charm and blue skies
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today For the Variety of Interior Design Styles

GMT 10:46 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

For the Variety of Interior Design Styles
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today US Christian tourists see deep meaning

GMT 13:44 2018 Monday ,22 January

US Christian tourists see deep meaning
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 10:03 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 22:02 2017 Monday ,17 July

8 killed in Nigeria suicide bombing

GMT 04:42 2017 Sunday ,18 June

Korean Ambassador hosts iftar gathering

GMT 14:24 2014 Saturday ,29 November

Angelique unveils scintillating new collection

GMT 12:23 2015 Monday ,09 March

Lingerie brand Edwards & Millers launches

GMT 18:48 2017 Thursday ,28 September

All foreign flights to Iraq Kurd capital to stop Friday

GMT 11:47 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

Trump denies he's a racist as Americans honor King

GMT 13:22 2018 Wednesday ,10 January

IOC extends North Korea's Winter Olympics deadline

GMT 05:45 2013 Wednesday ,13 November

Australia Church child sex inquiry urges sweeping changes

GMT 12:48 2015 Saturday ,07 November

VW: Will pay clients tax rap over carbon emissions

GMT 09:02 2018 Thursday ,04 January

LAB SERIES launches MAX LS Power V Instant Eye Lift

GMT 12:05 2017 Wednesday ,08 March

Body Fantasies launches new fragrances

GMT 11:53 2017 Thursday ,28 December

Macron urges Saudi king to lift Yemen blockade

GMT 06:55 2017 Wednesday ,27 December

Female inspectors clamp down on commercial concealment

GMT 14:33 2017 Sunday ,24 December

Oman opens sprawling oryx reserve to ecotourists

GMT 19:23 2017 Saturday ,23 December

Indonesian pangolin faces extinction due to trafficking

GMT 04:57 2011 Wednesday ,07 September

James Murdoch \'knew about\' News of World phone hacking

GMT 13:47 2017 Thursday ,12 January

A soft landing in Lisbon, courtesy of Corinthia

GMT 19:59 2017 Monday ,20 February

Sauber aim for return to midfield with new F1 car

GMT 06:52 2016 Monday ,04 July

Hong Kong officials to visit Beijing for talks

GMT 12:26 2016 Tuesday ,29 November

RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner that sank

GMT 12:47 2017 Thursday ,14 December

US Fed raises key interest rate amid strong labor market
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday