NRF predicts 3.7 percent increase in holiday sales

From the National Retail Federation:

NRF expects sales in November and December (excluding autos, gas and restaurants) to increase a solid 3.7 percent to $630.7 billion — significantly higher than the 10-year average of 2.5 percent. Online sales are forecast to increase between 6 and 8 percent to as much as $105 billion. Retailers are expected to hire between 700,000 and 750,000 seasonal workers this holiday season, in line with last year’s 714,000 holiday positions.

For full details of the forecast, visit NRF.com.