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Retail salesin November increased 0.9 percent over October on a seasonally adjusted basis and were up 6 percent year-over-year unadjusted, according to calculations released today by the National Retail Federation.

Imports at the nation's major retail container ports are expected to increase 1.5 percent in December over the same time last year, and 2017 should show an increase of 6.4 percent over 2016.

Retail industry employment increased by an unusually high 12,900 jobs in November over October. The numbers do no include automobile dealers, gasoline stations or restaurants.

NRF welcomed the Senate Finance Committee’s approval of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan’s nomination to serve as the permanent head of the agency, and urged the Sneate to move swiftly on his confirmation.

NRF says congressional action on tax reform is boosting consumer confidence and that savings from reform could be enough to pay for many families' holiday shopping.

NRF called on the Senate to pass comprehensive tax reform legislation set for a vote this week, saying the measure would create jobs and boost the economy by bringing back investment that has gone overseas while also helping small businesses and consumers.

Thanksgiving weekend, including Cyber Monday, attracted more than 174 million shopping both online and in-store compared to 164 million originally surveyed by NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

NRF called on the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a process that allows many "patent troll" disputes to be heard administratively at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office without the need to go to court.

Organized retail crime is continuing to grow, with 67 percent of retailers surveyed reporting an increase in the past year,according to NRF's 13th annual ORC study.

NRF welcomed approval of tax reform legislation by the Senate Finance Committee and urged approval of the bill by the fulll Senate.