Behind the Numbers from December 2019

$727.9 billion

Estimated holiday retail sales during November and December 2019, with an increase from last year between 3.8% and 4.2%, according to the National Retail Federation. Last year’s holiday sales were up 3.7%.

125.9

Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index in October, down from 126.3 in September. The Present Situation Index—which is based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—rose from 170.6 to 172.3.

6,100

Number of new retail jobs created in October, reversing a decline that had been trending since March 2017, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

30.3 million

Number of Apple Pay users, which represents 47.3% of all mobile payment users. Apple Pay is projected to be available in 70% of U.S. retailers by the end of 2019, according to Digital Trends.

$75.38 billion

Estimated size of U.S. pet industry expenditures in 2019, according to American Pet Products Association.

$31.68 billion

Amount of U.S. pet industry expenditures in 2019 that went to food, or 42% of total expenditures, according to the American Pet Products Association. Supplies and medicine accounted for 21.7% of pet sales.