Shoppers Head Into the Holidays With NRF Reporting a 13th Straight Month of Retail Gains
NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2026 /CNW/ -- Market Updates News Commentary - Retail sales saw their 13th straight month of gains in October, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF). Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, were $561.7 billion in October, up 0.15% month over month and up 3.57% year over year, both seasonally adjusted. That compared with $560.8 billion in September, which was up 0.28% month over month and up 4.05% year over year. "Retail sales edged higher in October as a strong Halloween season and early winter holiday promotions pulled demand forward," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. Active Companies from around the markets with current developments this week include: Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE: TPR), Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL), eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY), McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD), and The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY).
The Retail Monitor's core retail sales, which also exclude restaurants, were $454.2 billion in October, up 0.26% month over month and up 3.36% year over year. NRF said total sales were up 5.75% for the first 10 months of the year and core sales were up 5.63%. Led by a 9.3% gain in electronics and appliances, sales were higher year over year in all categories except furniture and home furnishings, down 2.62%, and sporting goods, down 0.44%. Shay added, "Retailers continue to offer promotions and value pricing to keep everyday items and holiday gifts affordable."
On the price side, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Nov. 10 that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in October after rising 0.6 percent in September. The food index increased 0.5 percent, the energy index increased 0.7 percent, and the index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 percent, as it did in September and August.
NRF's own holiday forecast, released Oct. 15, calls for retail sales in November and December to grow 4.2% over 2025 to total spending of $1.013 trillion. NRF defines the holiday season as Nov. 1 through Dec. 31. In that release, NRF Chief Economist and Executive Director of Research Mark Mathews said, "We head into the holiday season with strong spending momentum, as consumers remain the bright spot in the economy." He added, "At the same time, inflation, rising gas prices and pressure on household spending will affect consumers differently across income groups."
Among retailers, Costco Wholesale Corporation said on Nov. 10 that its board has declared a special cash dividend of $30 per share, payable Dec. 4, 2026, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Nov. 24, 2026. The company said the total payment will be approximately $13.3 billion, and that the board also reauthorized a common-stock repurchase program of up to $4 billion.
Monthly sales data and quarterly results are one way to follow the consumer; the chart is another. Our sister site, Stock Preachers, offers Knowledge is Power, a free 27-page guide in 10 chapters that teaches reading the news and reading the chart in plain English, along with The Roadmap every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Get the free guide here.
Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE: TPR)
The owner of Coach and Kate Spade New York reported fiscal 2027 first quarter results on Nov. 5 for the quarter ended Sept. 26, 2026, with revenue of $1.9 billion, an increase of 11% on a reported basis and 12% on a pro forma basis, led by 16% growth at the Coach brand. GAAP diluted EPS was $1.76, up 38%, and non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.82, up 32%.
Tapestry raised its fiscal 2027 revenue outlook to approximately $8.5 billion to $8.6 billion, above prior guidance of $8.4 billion to $8.5 billion, and increased its capital return outlook to $2.0 billion. Joanne Crevoiserat, Chief Executive Officer of Tapestry, Inc., commented: "Our first quarter marked a powerful start to the year, with revenue, margin, and earnings growth ahead of expectations and strength around the world."
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL)
Ralph Lauren reported second quarter fiscal 2027 results on Nov. 5, with revenue up 9% to $2.2 billion on a reported basis and up 10% in constant currency. Global direct-to-consumer comparable store sales increased 10%. Earnings per diluted share were $4.87, up 47% on a reported basis, and $4.64, up 22% on an adjusted basis.
For fiscal 2027, the company now expects constant currency revenue growth centered around 6% to 7%, up from a range of 5% to 6% previously. "We delivered strong second quarter performance, enabling us to raise our Fiscal 2027 outlook once again," said Patrice Louvet, President and Chief Executive Officer.
eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY)
eBay reported third quarter 2026 results on Oct. 28, with revenue of $3.2 billion, up 14% on an as-reported basis, and Gross Merchandise Volume of $23.2 billion, up 15% on an as-reported basis and up 16% on an FX-Neutral basis. The company returned $827 million to stockholders in the quarter.
For the fourth quarter, eBay guided for continuing operations to revenue of $3.19 billion to $3.24 billion and Gross Merchandise Volume of $23.7 billion to $24.1 billion, an outlook the company said includes the expected impact from Depop. "eBay's strong third quarter results reflect continued momentum across our business priorities and customer segments as more consumers embrace recommerce," said Jamie Iannone, Chief Executive Officer at eBay.
McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD)
McDonald's reported third quarter 2026 results on Nov. 4, with Global Systemwide sales up 4% to over $38 billion. Global comparable sales increased 1.5%, including a 0.2% decrease in the U.S., a 1.4% increase in International Operated Markets and a 4.2% increase in International Developmental Licensed Markets.
Diluted earnings per share were $3.51, an increase of 10%, and the company declared a 4% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $1.93 per share. "McDonald's delivered another quarter of global growth, with solid performance across much of our international business. In the U.S., we're encouraged by improvement as the quarter progressed following our intervention on value," said Chris Kempczinski, Chairman and CEO.
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY)
Hershey reported third quarter 2026 results on Oct. 29, with consolidated net sales of $3,275.5 million, an increase of 3.0%, and organic, constant currency net sales up 0.8%. Reported earnings were $2.88 per share diluted, and adjusted earnings per share diluted were $2.64, an increase of 103.1%.
The company now expects 2026 net sales growth of about 5% and adjusted earnings per share growth of 36% to 38.5%, which includes approximately $0.22 from tariff refunds received in the third quarter of 2026 and $0.03 in the second quarter. "Our third-quarter results show steady progress on our 2026 priorities," said Kirk Tanner, The Hershey Company President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our second-half demand creation initiatives are gaining momentum, even as consumers grow more cautious."
With October retail sales in and NRF's November and December forecast on the record, five consumer companies have also posted their latest quarterly results and outlooks. To learn how to read the news and the charts behind stocks like these, get the free Knowledge is Power guide from Stock Preachers at https://market-updates.com/sp/
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This article is independent news commentary. Market Updates is wholly owned and operated by Market Equities Limited ("MEL"), a company incorporated under the laws of Ireland. MEL has not been paid by any company mentioned in this article. MEL and its owners, operators, directors, and affiliates do not currently own any shares of the companies mentioned in this article, but reserve the right to, and will, buy and sell shares of those companies at any time without further notice. Retail sales figures and NRF quotes are from the National Retail Federation's Nov. 11, 2026 CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor release and its Oct. 15, 2026 holiday forecast; consumer price figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Nov. 10, 2026 release; company figures are as reported in each company's own releases as furnished to the SEC. No intraday or closing market prices are cited in this article. Information is drawn from company news releases and filings, government and industry data, published reporting and third-party data believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Investing in securities carries risk, including the loss of some or all of your investment. This document is governed by the laws of Ireland.
SOURCE Market Updates
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