CNBC: Retail Sales Seen Rising Between 3.7 and 4.2 Percent This Year

On Wednesday, The National Retail Federation projected retail sales growing between 3.7 and 4.2 percent in 2017. In addition, it’s projected that online sales are also expected to increase, but between 8 and 12 percent.

“With jobs and income growing and debt relatively low, the fundamentals are in place and the consumer is in the driver's seat,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. “But this year is unlike any other – while consumers have strength they haven't had in the past, they will remain hesitant to spend until they have more certainty about policy changes on taxes, trade and other issues being debated in Congress.”

This most recent projection comes after a holiday season where many major retailers struggled, despite the increase in sales by four percent in November and December.

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