Gifts

$518.44
The amount that the average consumer plans to spend on gifts this holiday season—with $393.69 on gifts for family members, $73.27 on friends, $17.16 on co-workers and $34.32 on other gifts, according to the findings of a recent National Retail Federation (NRF) survey.

Apparel
What most plan to purchase as gifts this holiday season. The NRF survey found that while 62.2% of consumers intend to buy clothing or clothing accessories as gifts, 60.8% were eyeing books, CDs and DVDs. Other things on people's shopping lists include gift cards/gift certificates (50.4%), toys (45.4%) and personal care or beauty items (25.2%).

52.7
The percentage of consumers hoping to receive books, CDs, DVDs, videos or video games this year, according to a new NRF survey. Meanwhile, 51.2% of consumers have clothing or clothing accessories on their wish lists. Consumers are also wishing for gift cards (48.4%), electronics (33.9%), jewelry (23.9%) and home furnishings (20.8%).

Barbie
The hottest toy for girls, according to an NRF survey, which polled over 6,500 consumers. Other toys that consumers plan to buy for girls (in descending order) include Bratz, Leap Frog, Dora the Explorer, Care Bears, Elmo, Polly Pocket, Game Boy, My Little Pony and American Girl.

Cars/Trucks
The hottest toy for boys. Other toys on consumers' list of must-buys for boys (in descending order) include Game Boy-related items, video games, Hot Wheels, PlayStation-related items, Hulk, Yu-Gi-Oh, Leap Frog, Xbox and Lego.

206
Number of establishments around the country that primarily manufactured dolls and stuffed toys in 2000. Their total shipments—$329 million of goods.

Shopping

75.1
The percentage of consumers planning to shop at discounters this holiday, according to the NRF. Consumers are also planning to shop at department stores (53.1%), specialty stores like clothing or electronics stores (36.7%), grocery stores (44.4%), and online (36.0%).

45,827
Number of malls and shopping centers throughout the country in 2001—up more than 9,000 since 1990.

$671.89
The amount that the average consumer plans to spend this holiday season, according to a new NRF survey. This figure includes money spent on gifts, decorations, greeting cards and postage, candy and food, and flowers. Last year, consumers spent an average of $648.85.

$217.4 billion
The projected total of holiday sales this year by the NRF. This would be a 5.7% increase from last year.

30.7
The percentage of consumers planning to use check/debit cards for gift purchases this season, according to the NRF. Consumers also plan to use cash (26.9%), credit cards (30.1%) and personal checks (12.3%).

20
Percentage by which U.S. department stores (not including leased departments) increased their inventories between the end of August and the end of November 2001. And after the throngs of holiday shoppers, inventories dropped by 25% in the final month of the year.

Saturday, December 21st
Top shopping day in 2002, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). The number 2 and 3 spots went to Monday, December 23rd and Saturday, December 14th.

Decorating

$34.18
The amount that the average consumer plans to spend on decorations this holiday season, according to the NRF.

$21,802
The average amount of money that a center spends decorating for the holiday season, according to the ICSC.

7
The average number of days it takes to decorate a shopping center for the holiday season, according to the ICSC.

November 1, 2003
The day that most malls begin decorating for the holidays, according to the ICSC.

$493 million
The amount U.S. farmers received from Christmas tree sales in 2001, which in current dollars was up 18% from five years earlier.

Sources:

Facts for Features: The Holiday Season
U.S. Census Bureau
www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features/000786.html

Barbie Teams with Old Favorites on Top 10 Holiday Toys List
National Retail Federation
Press Release, November 18, 2003
www.nrf.com/content/default.asp?folder=press/release2003&file=holidaysurvey1103.htm&bhcp=1

Stores Can Look Forward to Holly, Jolly Holidays, According to NRF
National Retail Federation
Press Release, October 21, 2003
www.nrf.com/content/default.asp?folder=press/release2003&file=holidaysurvey1003.htm&bhcp=1

Daily Sales Comparison—Top 10 Shopping Days
International Council of Shopping Centers
holiday.icsc.org/dailysales03.pdf

Holiday Fun Facts 2003
International Council of Shopping Centers
holiday.icsc.org/funfacts03.pdf