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By Julia Spencer, CardTrak.com

Total holiday retail sales are expected to increase this year but at a slower pace than 2005. The figure is expected to hit $457.4 billion a 5% increase over last year. The National Retail Federation says holiday sales in 2005 rose 6.1%. Over the last ten years, the average percentage increase in sales for the holiday season is 4.6%. One-fifth of retail industry sales occur during the holiday season. Total retail sales for 2005 was $2.2 trillion. Holiday sales account for more than 32% of jewelry store annual sales and 24% of department store annual sales. If gas prices continue to fall holiday sales this year could pick up. The NRF represents more than 1.4 million U.S. retail establishments.