Direct Retailers Had Jolliest 2012 Holiday Season

It was a jolly holiday season last year for direct retailers, meaning those who sell directly to consumers via the web, catalogs and TV infomercials. Non-store retailers racked up an 11.3% sales gain for November and December 2012 over the same months of the prior year, according to U.S. Commerce Department figures. By comparison, total retail sales (excluding automotive) tallied a more modest 4.1% increase over the prior year, and retail stores garnered just 3.2% more in sales. One drag on retailers' holiday cheer was anemic spending for electronics. Total electronics sales, not adjusted for seasonal differences, decreased nearly 0.3% in December 2012 compared to December 2011, per Commerce Department statistics. For more, see the Internet Retailer story at http://www.internetretailer.com/2013/01/15/direct-retailers-lead-way-holiday-sales