Holiday Cheer

Things are looking pretty bright for holiday retail sales. Ernst & Young is predicting that holiday sales for November and December will be up 6 percent to 7 percent, compared with a 5.7 percent increase during the same time period last year. Higher prices at the pump, however, will mean higher distribution costs for suppliers and retailers and less disposable income for consumers. Apparel and consumer electronics are expected to be the best performing categories this season.