Retail Report: 2012 Holiday Season Ends on Positive Note Jan 10, 2013

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The 2012 holiday season saw more shoppers, spending more at retail, than in the previous year, according to ShopperTrak.

The retail research firm estimates that United States retail sales in November and December 2012 were up 2.5%, with retail store foot traffic also up 2.5%, from the same time period in 2011. The firm's initial estimate is that shoppers spent $248.8 billion during the last two months of 2012.

This makes the 2012 holiday season the third year in a row with positive retail sales. Two of the last three years have seen positive changes in foot traffic.

The calendar impacted holiday season sales. 2012 had 32 days between Black Friday and Christmas, which is the longest interval possible. This interval included one more weekend than in most years. The research firm said that, as a result, many consumers procrastinated when it came to holiday shopping - and that, in turn, boost late sales. The firm forecasts that sales were up in the week ending Dec. 29 by 18% and traffic was up 14.4% from the same period in 2011.

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