Holiday Spending Surpasses Forecast as Millennials Lead the Way<br />Sales during the period were helped by good weather across much of the country<br />and strength in the economy, including low unemployment and the rising stock market, the federation said.<br />Older millennials (ages 25 to 34) drove the five-day shopping spree, spending an average of $419.52.<br />“We are certainly encouraged that we are starting off from a period of strength,” Matthew Shay,<br />president of the National Retail Federation, said in a call on Tuesday with reporters.
