Retail sales during the holiday season rose 5.5% in 2017 to $691.9 billion, exceeding the National Retail Federations forecast of a 3.6%-to-4% increase. The final total represents “the strongest gain since the Great Recession,” the group said Friday. The organization credits low unemployment, strong consumer confidence, a rising stock market and income raises for the showing. There were increases across all retail categories except sporting goods, which was down 0.5% year-over year. Building materials and supplies stores were up 8.1%, furniture and home furnishings grew 7.5% and electronics and appliance stores were up 6.7%. The SPDR S&P Retail ETF is up 20.1% for the last three months, outpacing the S&P 500 index, which is up nearly 9%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average , which is up 12%.
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