WASHINGTON, DC, Dec 13, 2006/ --- It’s finally official. After weeks of speculation, November retail sales data shows the holiday season got off to a very strong start.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail industry sales for November (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) rose 6.3 percent unadjusted over last year and increased 0.9 percent seasonally adjusted from October.

November retail sales released today by the U.S. Commerce Department show that total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) rose 1.0 percent seasonally adjusted from October and increased 6.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

“Enticing promotions over Thanksgiving weekend helped retailers end the month with a bang,” said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. “While November sales exceeded expectations, retailers understand the holiday season is far from over.”

NRF continues to forecast that holiday sales will increase 5.0 percent for the months of November and December.

As expected, the sales surge was led by deep discounts on popular holiday categories such as electronics and apparel.

Discounting on high-end electronics such as plasma televisions and laptops helped November unadjusted retail sales at electronics and appliance stores increase an impressive 9.0 percent over last year, with month-to-month gains 4.6 percent.

Sales at clothing and clothing accessory stores sales rose 8.0 percent unadjusted from November of 2005, with month-to-month sales remaining flat (0.0percent).

Additionally, strong year-over-year gains were seen at health and personal care stores as sales rose 8.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year and 0.9 percent from October. Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores jumped 5.2 percent unadjusted from November 2005 and rose 0.8 percent month-to-month.

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