The holiday season is a time for gathering and celebrating with friends and family, gift-giving, reflection and thanks. The U.S. Census Bureau gathered holiday-related facts and figures from its data collection.
Rush to the stores
$27.4 billion
Retail sales by the nation’s department stores (including leased departments) in December 2009. This represented a 45 percent jump from the previous month (when retail sales, many holiday-related, registered $18.9 billion). No other month-to-month increase in department store sales last year was as large. Other U.S. retailers with sizable jumps in sales between November and December 2009 were book stores (98 percent); clothing stores (36 percent); jewelry stores (135 percent); radio, TV and other electronics stores (42 percent); and sporting goods stores (71 percent). Leased departments are separately owned businesses operated as departments or concessions of other service establishments or of retail businesses, such as a separately owned shoeshine parlor in a barber shop, or a beauty shop in a department store. Also, retail sales estimates have not been adjusted to account for seasonal or pricing variations.
14 percent
The percentage of total 2009 sales for department stores (including leased departments) in December. For jewelry stores, the percentage was 21 percent.
21 percent
The growth in inventories by the nation’s department stores (excluding leased departments) from Aug. 31 to Nov. 30, 2009. Thanks to the holiday crowds, inventories plummeted by 23 percent in December.
$30 billion
Value of retail sales by electronic shopping and mail-order houses in December 2009, the highest total for any month last year.
21,895
The number of electronic shopping and mail-order houses in business in 2008. These businesses, which employed 332,405 workers, are a popular source of holiday gifts. If a customer is not sure where to shop, choices of retail establishments abound. In 2008, there were 155,578 clothing and clothing accessories stores; 8,813 department stores; 9,211 hobby, toy and game shops; 29,390 gift, novelty and souvenir shops; 22,116 sporting goods stores; 26,683 jewelry stores; and 9,708 book stores across the nation. The figures are for locations with paid employees.
Christmas trees and decorations
$488.5 millionThe value of U.S. imports of Christmas tree ornaments from China between January and August. China was the leading country of origin for such items. Similarly, China was the leading foreign source of artificial Christmas trees shipped to the United States ($28.2 million worth) during the same period.
Where the toys are made
98Number of establishments around the country that primarily manufactured dolls and stuffed toys in 2008. California led the nation with 18 locations.
614
The number of locations that primarily produced games, toys and children’s vehicles in 2008. They employed 9,163 workers. California led the nation with 99 establishments.
$5.1 billion
The value of U.S. toy imports, including stuffed toys and dolls, puzzles and electric trains, from China between January and August. China was the leading country of origin for stuffed toys coming into the United States as well as for a number of other popular holiday gifts. These include roller skates ($37 million), sports footwear ($218 million) and basketballs ($32 million). China leads Thailand as the leading supplier of ice skates ($9 million versus $6 million), with Canada ranking third ($4 million).
Holiday names
Place names associated with the holiday season include North Pole, Alaska (population 2,226 in 2009); Santa Claus, Ind. (2,303); Santa Claus, Ga. (247); Noel, Mo. (1,615); and, if you know about reindeer, the village of Rudolph, Wis. (418) and Dasher, Ga. (821). There is Snowflake, Ariz. (5,686) and a dozen places named Holly, including Holly Springs, Miss., and Mount Holly, N.C.
Hanukkah and Kwanzaa
50.9 percent
Proportion of the nation’s spuds produced in Idaho and Washington in 2009. Potato latkes are always a crowd pleaser during Hanukkah.
$1.2 billion
The value of product shipments of candles in 2008 by the nation’s manufacturers. Many of these candles are lit during Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations.
New Year’s Eve and Day
More than 311 million
The nation’s projected population as we ring in the New Year.