Executive Summary

• This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” takes a look back at key events in retail this year and a look forward to what is on the horizon for 2019.
• S. retailers wrapped up one of the strongest holiday seasons in years, with shoppers crowding stores for last-minute Christmas gifts and, as of a few days before the holiday, delivery companies able to keep up with the surge in online orders.
• In the U.K., the Saturday before Christmas, or “Super Saturday,” saw an incremental boost in shoppers, according to data from consumer insights firm Springboard. High-street footfall rose by 1 percent year over year, but overall footfall fell by 0.7 percent.
• In 2019, China’s retail sales are expected to grow by 9 percent and contribute 65 percent to GDP growth, according to recent data from China’s Ministry of Commerce.