Early signs continue to point to retailers having a robust holiday shopping season this year. After BDO USA forecast a 3.7 percent rise in same-store sales this December and January, Discover Financial Services reports that consumers plan to spend an average of $100 more on holiday gifts in 2012 than they did in 2011.
According to the Discover survey, which was conducted online and included roughly 1,000 people, consumers plan to spend approximately $838 on holiday shopping this year, up from $748 last holiday season. A big percentage of that money will go toward gifts for children, which should be a boon for toy retailers. But electronics sellers, apparel retailers and jewelers might benefit as well, based on the breakout of wish lists for men and women.
Last December, U.S. same-store sales registered an increase of 3.5 percent.