Forecast calls for sales to climb this holiday season

People are picking out the perfect halloween costumes now, but some retail stores say they’re looking past this month’s holiday for some good news this shopping season.

Shopper Trak says total holiday sales will climb 1.6% compared to a year ago.
   
The Chicago-based research firm says holiday receipts fell nearly 6% while foot traffic dropped more than 15% at more than 45,000 stores last year.
   
Last year’s holiday season saw the largest sales decline in several decades.