Holiday retail sales in the United States are projected to exceed $1 trillion for the first time in 2026, according to a new forecast from the National Retail Federation (NRF). The milestone comes despite persistent inflation, rising gas prices, and pressure on household budgets.
The NRF projects that retail sales during November and December will increase 4.2% over 2025, reaching approximately $1.013 trillion. The forecast represents an increase of roughly $41 billion from last year’s holiday sales of $972.3 billion, which grew 3.1% over 2024.
The projected growth comes as retailers prepare for the holiday shopping season amid ongoing economic uncertainty, with consumers continuing to prioritize holiday purchases while remaining cautious about their household budgets.
“This year’s forecast reflects our confidence that consumers will prioritize the holiday season even as they remain mindful of their budgets,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Retailers are prepared to meet that demand with competitive prices, value and choices for every budget.”
According to the NRF’s historical data, holiday retail sales have increased substantially over the past decade, rising from approximately $629.4 billion in 2016 to the projected $1.013 trillion in 2026.
The forecast also follows several years of continued holiday spending growth, including an 8.8% increase in 2020 and a 12.6% increase in 2021, followed by more moderate increases in subsequent years.
NRF Chief Economist and Executive Director of Research Mark Mathews said consumer spending remains a key driver of economic activity, although financial pressures could affect households differently depending on their income levels.
“We head into the holiday season with strong spending momentum, as consumers remain the bright spot in the economy,” Mathews said. “At the same time, inflation, rising gas prices and pressure on household spending will affect consumers differently across income groups.”
In addition to increased retail spending, the NRF expects retailers nationwide to hire between 325,000 and 375,000 seasonal employees to accommodate holiday demand.
The projected hiring range is consistent with the estimated 356,000 seasonal retail jobs during the 2025 holiday season.
However, the organization noted that retailers are approaching seasonal hiring cautiously as higher interest rates, persistent inflation, elevated consumer debt, and rising fuel costs continue to influence business decisions and household finances.
The NRF’s holiday forecast is developed using economic modeling that considers consumer spending, disposable personal income, employment, wages, inflation, and previous monthly retail sales data.
The organization defines the holiday shopping season as November 1 through December 31 and excludes car dealerships, gas stations, and restaurants from its retail sales calculations.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The City of Scottsdale celebrated the reopening of Monterra at WestWorld following extensive renovations that transformed the longtime event venue into a fully climate-controlled facility capable of hosting weddings, corporate gatherings, and community events year-round.
City officials and WestWorld partners marked the reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on October 23, highlighting the improvements and the city’s expanded role in managing the facility.
Originally opened in 1990, Monterra operated under a private agreement for more than three decades before the Scottsdale City Council approved transferring operating rights to the city in November 2024.
The venue is now managed directly by the city as part of WestWorld of Scottsdale, providing additional opportunities to host private celebrations, banquets, and receptions associated with the facility’s signature events.
“Bringing Monterra back into city operation gives us an opportunity to make better use of a community asset,” said City Manager Greg Caton. “These improvements expand what WestWorld can offer throughout the year, whether we’re hosting a local celebration or welcoming visitors for one of Scottsdale’s signature events.”
The renovations included the installation of a new heating and cooling system, a new roof, updated indoor and outdoor flooring, and fresh interior and exterior paint. The city also upgraded the facility’s restrooms to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Located at the western end of WestWorld, Monterra features a ballroom with a full bar, three outdoor function spaces, and patios overlooking the facility’s 20-acre polo field and the McDowell Mountains.
The venue offers approximately 5,580 square feet of space, with a reception capacity of 800 guests, theater-style seating for 500, and banquet seating for 450.
WestWorld’s food and beverage partner, M Culinary Concepts, will provide exclusive catering and bar services for events hosted at the facility.
According to city officials, the improvements are intended to expand Monterra’s availability throughout the year, particularly during Arizona’s warmer months, while accommodating events ranging from, business meetings and conventions to weddings and private celebrations.
“Monterra pairs views of the McDowell Mountains with the convenience of being right here at WestWorld,” said WestWorld Director Cassie Johnson. “With the new climate-control system and updated spaces, we can welcome guests year-round and help event organizers bring everything from a wedding reception to a large banquet together in one location.”
In September, the Scottsdale City Council approved a one-year pilot program establishing daily rental rates of $3,000 Thursday through Sunday and $750 Monday through Wednesday. The rates were developed following a market study of comparable event venues.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29) announced the appointment of Goodyear Councilwoman Vicki Gillis to the Arizona Municipal Tax Code Commission following a state audit that raised concerns over transparency, accountability, and the delegation of statutory responsibilities.
The announcement follows an August 2026 sunset review by the Arizona Auditor General, which identified concerns regarding the Commission’s procedures for reviewing proposed amendments to the Model City Tax Code.
According to the Auditor General’s report, the Commission delegated responsibility for reviewing proposed tax code amendments to the City Tax Administrators Council (CTAC), an entity not formally recognized under state statute and not required to comply with Arizona’s open meeting laws.
The report found that the arrangement limited public transparency and recommended clarifying the Commission’s statutory authority. It also recommended that lawmakers consider requiring informational public hearings for all proposed amendments.
The report also found that the Commission went more than six years without holding a public hearing to consider proposed Model City Tax Code amendments. Under state law, the Commission is responsible for reviewing proposed amendments, holding public hearings, and approving or denying proposed changes.
According to the Auditor General, the Commission held its first such hearing since May 2019 on December 12, 2025, when it approved five amendments involving rental properties, telecommunications services, software application services for schools, utility equipment and property, and rental occupancy tax classifications.
“The Legislature established this Commission to promote uniformity and consistency in municipal taxation while providing a transparent process for reviewing proposed changes,” said Speaker Montenegro. “Arizonans deserve to know when changes to the tax code are being considered, who is proposing them, and how those changes could affect their families and businesses.”
The Arizona Municipal Tax Code Commission is responsible for reviewing proposed amendments to the Model City Tax Code, conducting public hearings, and approving or rejecting proposed changes.
The Model City Tax Code establishes a framework for municipal transaction privilege taxes, commonly referred to as sales taxes, across Arizona cities and towns.
Amendments to the code can affect how municipalities administer and collect taxes, as well as the obligations of businesses operating within their jurisdictions.
Montenegro emphasized that the Commission must fulfill its responsibilities under state law rather than delegate its authority to organizations operating outside established public transparency requirements.
“Statutory responsibilities cannot simply be delegated to an entity that operates outside the transparency requirements the public expects of government,” added Montenegro.
The Speaker also expressed concerns about the potential financial impact of changes to municipal tax policies, particularly as Arizona families and businesses continue to face cost-of-living pressures.
“Arizona families are working hard to manage the cost of living, and government should not create additional uncertainty or costs through administrative expansions of the sales tax,” said Montenegro.
✅Speaker Montenegro Appoints Goodyear Councilwoman Vicki Gillis to Municipal Tax Code Commission Appointment follows Auditor General findings raising concerns about transparency and accountability
“Arizona families are working hard to manage the cost of living, and government… pic.twitter.com/CEouDKxOV3
Montenegro said Gillis’s appointment is intended to reinforce accountability and ensure that proposed tax code changes receive appropriate public scrutiny.
He also called for a consistent and predictable review process that allows municipalities, businesses, and taxpayers to understand proposed changes and their potential financial implications.
“The Commission must follow state law, restore public confidence in its process, and ensure that any proposed changes receive the scrutiny and transparency required by statute,” Montenegro said. “I expect this appointment to help reinforce those principles and keep the interests of Arizona taxpayers at the forefront.”
The appointment follows the Auditor General’s findings and recommendations calling for greater transparency and clarification of the Commission’s statutory responsibilities.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09) received an endorsement for reelection from Truckers.com and the Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC), earning an A+ rating in the organizations’ 2026 Congressional Midterm Report Card.
Gosar received the highest grade among Arizona’s congressional delegation, recognizing his support for legislation aimed at strengthening commercial trucking safety standards, English-language proficiency requirements, and commercial driver’s license regulations.
The SBTC, a national trucking trade association representing small businesses in the transportation industry, evaluates members of Congress on issues affecting commercial drivers, trucking companies, and highway safety.
The legislation seeks to ensure that commercial drivers can read and understand English-language road signs, communicate with law enforcement and transportation officials, and demonstrate English proficiency when obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Gosar welcomed the endorsement, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety standards for commercial drivers operating on American highways.
“I’m honored to earn the endorsement of Truckers.com and the Small Business in Transportation Coalition,” said Congressman Gosar. “Truckers keep our shelves stocked and our economy moving. Anyone operating a commercial truck alongside Arizona families must be able to read road signs and communicate in English. I’ll continue fighting for common-sense safety standards and the truckers and small businesses that keep our economy moving.”
Proud to earn the endorsement of the Small Business in Transportation Coalition, @TheSBTC, and an A+ on its 2026 Congressional Report Card—the highest grade in Arizona’s congressional delegation.
Truckers keep America moving. I cosponsored legislation requiring commercial… pic.twitter.com/2ZBmkDE67f
The SBTC’s congressional evaluations also consider lawmakers’ positions on the issuance of commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, an issue that has become part of the broader national debate over trucking regulations and highway safety.
Gosar’s A+ rating reflects the organizations’ support for his legislative positions on commercial driver qualifications and federal trucking regulations.
The endorsement adds to Gosar’s support from industry organizations as he seeks another term representing Arizona’s Ninth Congressional District.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09) received an endorsement for reelection from the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW), which recognized him as a “Taxpayer Hero” for his voting record on federal spending, government accountability, and fiscal responsibility.
The endorsement was part of an announcement in which CCAGW backed Republican candidates across the country based on their lifetime scores in the organization’s 2025 Congressional Ratings.
Gosar was among four Arizona Republican candidates endorsed by the organization, alongside Congressmen Eli Crane (R-AZ-02), Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08), and Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), who is running for governor.
Gosar received a lifetime rating of 93% from the organization, reflecting his voting record on legislation involving federal spending, taxation, transparency, and government accountability.
“During their tenures in the Senate and House, these members of Congress have been strong and reliable votes to curb government waste and reform Washington,” stated CCAGW President Tom Schatz. “On top of their impressive voting records, they fought for increased accountability and transparency while opposing efforts to increase federal spending and adopt burdensome new regulations.”
Gosar welcomed the endorsement, pointing to his efforts to reduce federal expenditures and oppose regulations he argues increase costs for American families.
“I’m honored to earn the endorsement of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste,” stated Congressman Gosar. “I voted to claw back wasteful spending and have opposed unnecessary spending and burdensome regulations that drive up costs for Arizona families. It’s your money, and Washington has a responsibility to spend it wisely. I’ll keep fighting to make sure every taxpayer dollar counts.”
I’m proud to have earned the endorsement of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, @GovWaste, and its recognition of my record as a Taxpayer Hero.
Since 1989, they’ve evaluated every member of Congress on their votes on spending, taxes, and transparency. I voted to… pic.twitter.com/Z7Lbtr5B4N
Among the legislative actions highlighted in Gosar’s record was his support for the Rescissions Act of 2025, which canceled previously approved federal spending.
Since 1989, CCAGW has evaluated members of Congress through its Congressional Ratings, which examine votes on legislation affecting government expenditures, taxation, and fiscal accountability. The organization uses these ratings to identify lawmakers it considers supportive of taxpayers’ interests and efforts to reduce government waste.
The endorsement comes ahead of Arizona’s November 3 general election, when Gosar will seek another term representing the state’s Ninth Congressional District.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
