This year is no different. And while sales aren't supposed to crater, they're not exactly going to wow either. The National Retail Federation predicts that holiday retail sales will increase 3.6 percent to $655.8 billion. It's above the average 2.5 percent, but it's a level that makes analysts shrug. It signals a "very stable economy," says Paula Rosenblum, managing partner at Retail Systems Research. And part of what comes with a stable, safe jump in sales is a decent economy without a ton of blockbusters available. But it's also a unique year, with the election fallout continuing to penetrate planning and boosting markets.It's difficult to quantify the election's impact. Prior to the election, a number of retailers blamed the bully pulpit for dragging sales. In September, Gap (ticker: GPS) CEO Art Peck said that the election is "probably unsettling consumers right now," while Barnes & Noble's (BKS) Leonard Riggio said the "unprecedented" negativity between the candidates led to fewer shoppers.

have retailers been saved? It depends on how the individual shoppers felt about the election. If one voted for Trump, then he's likely feeling very comfortable right now. If she voted for Hillary Clinton, then the pessimism could keep the shopper away.

And initially, more people were staying away. On Nov. 23, Adobe Digital Insights found that online sales had lagged by nearly $800 million from its estimates, due to the election. But by this week, online sales had grown 8 percent compared to last year, recovering from the post-election doldrums.

have retailers been saved? It depends on how the individual shoppers felt about the election. If one voted for Trump, then he's likely feeling very comfortable right now. If she voted for Hillary Clinton, then the pessimism could keep the shopper away.

And initially, more people were staying away. On Nov. 23, Adobe Digital Insights found that online sales had lagged by nearly $800 million from its estimates, due to the election. But by this week, online sales had grown 8 percent compared to last year, recovering from the post-election doldrums.

It speaks to what really impacts the holiday sales: consumer sentiment. And that can be fickle. With the market up 6 percent since Election Day, it "favors the upper-income consumers," says Morningstar analyst R.J. Hottovy. With consumers feeling flushed with cash that could bode well for retailers that service higher-end clientele, like Williams-

That doesn't mean the lower-end consumer doesn't have reasons to shop. The unemployment rate is at 4.6 percent and with the national average gas price at $2.21 per gallon, there's belief that spending could remain high.

But with no clear indication where the economy will move next, it's no wonder the sales will remain somewhat subdued. And the real impact of the election on holiday sales could come next year, if Trump's policies – whether it's from a tax perspective or anti-trade

That doesn't mean the lower-end consumer doesn't have reasons to shop. The unemployment rate is at 4.6 percent and with the national average gas price at $2.21 per gallon, there's belief that spending could remain high.But with no clear indication where the economy will move next, it's no wonder the sales will remain somewhat subdued. And the real impact of the election on holiday sales could come next year, if Trump's policies – whether it's from a tax perspective or anti-trade

That doesn't mean the lower-end consumer doesn't have reasons to shop. The unemployment rate is at 4.6 percent and with the national average gas price at $2.21 per gallon, there's belief that spending could remain high.

But with no clear indication where the economy will move next, it's no wonder the sales will remain somewhat subdued. And the real impact of the election on holiday sales could come next year, if Trump's policies – whether it's from a tax perspective or anti-trade