Retail group: Annual retail sales to rise 3.8 to 4.4 percent
NEW YORK (AP) — An improving economy and tax changes should help retail sales increase 3.8 percent to 4.4 percent this year, an industry trade group said Thursday.
The National Retail Federation's forecast for 2018 comes after retailers saw the biggest sales increase since 2010 over the recent holiday period.
Low unemployment that means more competition for workers, as well as the tax changes, have led several companies to offer bonuses or raise wages. Retailers like Walmart, Best Buy and Lowe's have done that so far, and more details about how retailers will use their tax savings may come as they report fourth-quarter results.