Consulting firm AlixPartners is forecasting 1.0% to 2.6% retail sales growth this year for the Holiday season, which it opines should now include the month of Oct, in addition to Nov. and Dec. Retail sales for the three months were $1.132 trillion last year. The firm’s latest U.S. Retail Holiday-Sales Forecast found that 49% of consumers plan to start Holiday shopping by Halloween or earlier, up from 42% last year, justifying the inclusion of Oct. in its forecasts. This is the continuation of a multi-year trend of consumers spreading out Holiday shopping, and relying less on traditional event-based buying such ... Log in to view full article.