As 2024 comes to a close, retail in key global markets has performed better than expected.  The forecasted recession that economists had said was coming, never came.

In the thick of Holiday 2024, analysts are still very optimistic that retail will have a good season.  Not as good as 2023, but still seeing growth.

Forrester projects U.S. retail sales will increase 3.7% year over year to $1 trillion this holiday season, per a new report.  Online sales are forecast to grow 10.1%, with store sales up 1.7%.

UK retailers are expected to see a record £88.3 billion ($112 billion) of spending, per Statista.  Fedex is forecasting an e-commerce boom with a 10.9% increase in parcel delivery during the season.