NRF expects 2018 retail sales to head up 3.8%-to-4.4%. For 2017, retail sales saw a 3.9% annual gain over 2016 to $3.53 trillion, based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s preliminary estimate. NRF said that number is subject to revision while it topped the NRF’s forecast for growth between 3.2%-to-3.8%.