November 2010 recorded the fifth straight month of positive sales trends and the retailers are now gearing up for a big week as time counts down to Christmas. The nation's retailers experienced a solid start to the holiday season as consumers opened their wallets and stock up for Christmas.

With just four days to go for the big day, it can be said that retailers have recorded good Christmas sales albeit backed by heavy promotion and discounting in comparison with the last two years. 

According to a research report, eCommerce and apparel sales have solidly contributed to overall sales growth, reportedly recording a respective growth of 13.5% and 9.8% as of December 11, 2010. Women's and men's apparel have accordingly registered a growth of 4.4% and 8.4%, respectively.  Jewelry and luxury market fared better than last year while electronics sales still lagged, rising just 0.4%.

Online-Shopping Made Attractive

Tapping the online market for customers unwilling to venture beyond their computer keyboards and hit the stores for bargain deals, retailers offered a wide variety of discounts and gifts online. Some of the retailers declared December 23, 2010, as "Click It to Gift It" day, which incentivize customers to buy gifts online and win free gifts and discounts.  

Online shopping consists of several such promotional events such as "Free Shipping Day," which was held on December 17, 2010, offering free shipping and other deals to customers. Free shipping day recorded a sales growth of 61.0% grossing $942 million.  Green Monday, held on December 13, 2010, recorded sales of $954 million.