Alina Seljuk

Adobe Analytics, which tracks online transactions, says steepest online sales on electronics, clothes, and computers are expected on Cyber Monday, while Black Friday may have the better deals on televisions, toys, and appliances.

The National Retail Federation forecasts that sales this holiday season will top $1 trillion for the first time.

Much of the spending comes from wealthier shoppers, while others are trying to tighten budgets.

In fact, lower-cost stores like Walmart and T.J.

Maxx say they're seeing more higher-income visitors.

But people are also choosing to trade up, deciding that a better deal on something costly is to get the fancier version.

Both Home Depot and Best Buy say that when they do sell big-ticket items, a growing share of them are the most expensive option.

Alina Seljuk, NPR News.

The federal data on retail sales is behind by more than a month, and it's showing consumers cooling off a bit in September as they continue to go out to shop and eat.

Compared to September of last year, spending at stores and restaurants grew 4.3%, with people shopping more for clothes and electronics.

in the tail end of the back-to-school season, and they went out to restaurants and bars.

All this lines up with a slew of positive sales reports from major retailers, including Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and Dick's Sporting Goods.

The industry is now predicting another record holiday season, counting on the fact that people generally are employed and wages are still growing faster than inflation.

Alina Seljuk, NPR News, Washington.