Colorado holiday sales forecast to be up 2.9 percent, slightly better than national forecast | Shopping & Services

Holiday sales in Colorado are forecast to increase by 2.9 percent over last year which is slightly better than the national forecast.
The National Retail Federation estimates that 152 million people nationwide will shop in person or online this weekend, a 10.1 percent increase over last year. Nationwide, the federation estimates overall holiday sales will increase 2.8 percent to $465 billion. Last holiday season, sales jumped 5.2 percent from 2009.

In Colorado, The Denver Post reports the state is expected to fare slightly better than the rest of the nation, partly because of a lower statewide unemployment rate of 8.1 percent, compared with 9 percent nationwide.

 Retailers in the metro area reported a modest rush early Friday.