Brief

Holiday review and a look ahead to 2012

Last-minute spending helped the holiday season beat expectations

By Darrell Rigby, Kris Miller and Josh Chernoff

January 17, 2012
min read

2011-2012 Retail Holiday Newsletter #6

Holiday sales gave the retail industry a bit of cheer but also reason for concern. GAFO sales grew 3.5% to $251.3 billion, just short of the all-time record of $251.7 billion set in 2007. E-commerce sales led the season with 15% growth. Still, despite stronger-than-expected holiday sales in 2011, retailers face many challenges in the new year. We wrap up our series of holiday newsletters with a look ahead at the retail outlook for 2012 and at 10 strategic imperatives for success.