Home / Business and Economy / November Retail Sales Rise, NRF Holiday Outlook Holds
November Retail Sales Rise, NRF Holiday Outlook Holds
15 Dec, 2025
Summary
- November retail sales saw a 4.53% annual increase.
- Digital products and sporting goods showed strong YoY growth.
- NRF projects holiday sales between 3.7% and 4.2% YoY.
US retail sales demonstrated healthy year-over-year growth in November 2025, with early holiday spending largely in line with industry expectations. Overall retail sales, excluding automotive and fuel, rose by 4.53% compared to the previous year, following a similar upward trend in October. This performance suggests a stable consumer spending environment as the critical holiday shopping season progresses.
Specific categories reported varied performance. Digital products, sporting goods, and clothing retailers saw significant year-over-year increases, indicating strong consumer interest in these areas. However, month-over-month figures showed declines in several categories, potentially due to shoppers waiting for Cyber Monday deals, which fell into December that year.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) projects total holiday sales for November and December to grow between 3.7% and 4.2% year-over-year, potentially surpassing $1 trillion. Full-year retail sales for 2025 are also expected to see a notable increase, reflecting resilient consumer demand throughout the year.
