NRF: Retail sales rose 3.54% in December from year ago

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by Kim Souza ([email protected]) ago 62 views 

The National Retail Federation (NRF) said December holiday sales rose 3.54% from the year-ago period and 1.26% from November. The trade group said the results put holiday sales in line with the record forecast of more than $1 trillion.

The results are not adjusted for inflation, which increased 2.7% in November. The December inflation data will be released on Wednesday (Jan. 13).

“December Retail Monitor data saw a sharp surge in growth as consumers continued prioritizing holiday spending on family and friends,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Continued economic momentum helped land 2025 holiday sales near the top of NRF’s forecast, reaffirming that consumers remain on solid footing.”

Shay said a late Thanksgiving pushed Cyber Monday into December, which added another busy shopping day to December’s data.

Based on Retail Monitor data, 2025 holiday sales from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 grew 4.1%. The NRF forecast that holiday sales would increase between 3.7% and 4.2% from the same period in 2024. The forecast is based on U.S. Census Bureau data, but Census numbers for December have not yet been released.

The Retail Monitor calculation of core retail sales (excluding restaurants, auto dealers, and gas stations) was up 1.6% month over month in December and up 3.58% year over year.

Total sales in 2025  increased 4.93% from 2024. Core sales grew 5.08% from the prior year. Shay said December sales were up in six out of nine categories on an annual basis. The gains were led by clothing, sporting goods, and digital product sales. Clothing and accessory sales rose 6.1% in December 2024. Sporting goods sales as well as hobby, music and book purchases, increased 5.16% from the year-ago period.

NRF said electronic game sales increased 3.6% from a year ago. Consumers spent 3.42% more on general merchandise in December compared to the year-ago period. Grocery and beverage sales were up 2.85% year over year and health and personal care sales increased 2.5% from a year ago.

Appliance sales were flat in December, and furniture and home furnishings sales were down slightly year over year. Building and garden supply sales decreased 5.3% from a year ago.