Analysts are predicting the strongest sales growth this year since 2014, due in large part to new tax legislation and confident consumers.
Kantar Consulting forecasts 4.3% retail growth in 2018, led by big-ticket home goods purchased by tax savings in upper-income households. Consumable brick-and-mortar stores will also have strong growth, but the numbers will still be dampened by store closures led by big names such as Sam’s Club and Walgreens.