DON GONYEA, HOST: NPR's business news starts with signs of an improving economy.</s>DON GONYEA, HOST: New data out today show that shoppers spent 2.3 percent more this holiday season than last year. This would make for the highest holiday sales growth in three years.</s>DON GONYEA, HOST: Online retail was especially strong.
Shoppers spent 2.3 percent more this holiday season, according to data released Friday morning. This would make for the highest holiday sales growth in three years.