2009, Retailer | featured news

U.S. retailers largely saw a strong finish to the 2009 holiday season even though sales fell at apparel chains and department stores in December, according to MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse.

The nation's retailers suffered miserably through November as a modestly positive start to the holiday shopping season wasn't strong enough to offset weak spending the rest of the month.

US retail sales rebounded in October as demand for cars continued to climb even after the expiration of government sponsored incentives.

Some analysts are now predicting higher levels of holiday spending than in the year before.

A key measure of consumer confidence fell in September, after a gain in the previous month, raising concerns about retail sales in the upcoming holiday season, a research group said Tuesday.

Retail sales unexpectedly fell 0.1% in July despite the debut of the government's "cash for clunkers" program. Separately, weekly jobless claims rose a bit.

Disappointing performance underscores concerns about the timing and durability of a recovery.

Mall-based chains continue to be hit hardest as consumers focus on necessities, but the warehouse club operator Costco’s results also missed analyst estimates.

The government says retail sales advanced in June by the largest amount in five months, led by a surge in gasoline prices and a slight rebound in the battered auto sector.

Rain and rising unemployment dampened sales for retailers already reeling from consumers’ new frugality.