Holiday season sales to hit $1 trillion for first time, report says

“This is the first time holiday sales will cross the $1 trillion mark, and 2018 shows the strongest growth since 2011,” said market research firm eMarketer in its holiday sales forecast. “Spending momentum will get an added boost from a favorable holiday calendar that features the maximum [of] 32 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

Sales transacted through brick-and-mortar stores are set to rise by 4.4 percent, to nearly $878.4 billion, up substantially from the $863 billion predicted in the third-quarter eMarketer report. Physical stores will attract roughly 88 percent of sales, eMarketer says.

“While e-commerce will continue to see strong double-digit gains, brick-and-mortar retail should be a particular bright spot this holiday season,” said Andrew Lipsman, a principal analyst at eMarketer. “Not every brick-and-mortar retailer is thriving, and several have shut their doors this year, but others are really capitalizing on the strong consumer economy. Retailers are luring in shoppers with remodeled stores, streamlined checkout and options to buy online, pick up in-store.”