<p>US retail sales are expected to rise between 3.5% and 4.1% to more than $3.9 trillion this year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) said on Wednesday, despite fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.</p>.<p>The trade body expects sales to be between $3.93 trillion and $3.95 trillion, citing steady wage growth and consumer confidence and assuming the virus outbreak does not become a pandemic.</p>.<p>However, NRF expects sales to take a hit if the China factory shutdown continues.</p>.<p>Preliminary results show retail sales for 2019 — excluding automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants — grew 3.7% over 2018 to $3.79 trillion, falling short of NRF's forecast for growth of at least 3.8%.</p>.<p>"There are always wild cards we cannot control like coronavirus and a politically charged election year. But when it comes to the fundamentals, our economy is sound and consumers continue to lead the way," NRF President and Chief Executive Matthew Shay said.</p>.<p>Online and other non-store sales, which are included in the overall number for 2020, are expected to increase between 12% and 15%, according to the NRF.</p>
<p>US retail sales are expected to rise between 3.5% and 4.1% to more than $3.9 trillion this year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) said on Wednesday, despite fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.</p>.<p>The trade body expects sales to be between $3.93 trillion and $3.95 trillion, citing steady wage growth and consumer confidence and assuming the virus outbreak does not become a pandemic.</p>.<p>However, NRF expects sales to take a hit if the China factory shutdown continues.</p>.<p>Preliminary results show retail sales for 2019 — excluding automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants — grew 3.7% over 2018 to $3.79 trillion, falling short of NRF's forecast for growth of at least 3.8%.</p>.<p>"There are always wild cards we cannot control like coronavirus and a politically charged election year. But when it comes to the fundamentals, our economy is sound and consumers continue to lead the way," NRF President and Chief Executive Matthew Shay said.</p>.<p>Online and other non-store sales, which are included in the overall number for 2020, are expected to increase between 12% and 15%, according to the NRF.</p>