Today’s is the last Washington Retail newsletter until the New Year as readers turn their attention to family gatherings and gift exchanges.

Retailers got off to a roaring holiday start starting on Black Friday and all signs point to another healthy year for shopping. The optimism also has rubbed off on economists who have eased their summertime fears of a pending recession in the U.S.

Our e newsletters including the weekly Inside Washington Retail and the monthly Inside Seattle Retail and Inside Retail Services will resume starting on January 8.