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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.

NRF welcomed approval of landmark tax reform legislation by the House and called on the Senate to act quickly to pass its version of tax reform.

The survey found 54 percent of consumers overall plan to spend about the same as last year, with 24 percent planning to spend more.

Retail sales in October increased 0.1 percent over September seasonally adjusted and were up 4.3 percent year-over-year, according to NRF. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants.

69 percent of Americans – an estimated 164 million people – plan to or are considering shopping during Thanksgiving weekend including Cyber Monday, according to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.