Holiday shopping figures always a plus for NoCo

As you read this, your gift shopping for the 2005 Christmas season should be completed.  As I write it, however, the shopping season has barely begun.

November and December retail sales in Northern Colorado surpassed the $2 billion mark in 2004, increasing 9.63 percent over 2003.  The increase from 2002 to 2003 was a more normal 5.6 percent.  Retail sales each year should increase by at least the rate of inflation plus the rate of population growth.  If we assume a 3 percent rate of inflation and a 2 percent rate of population growth, then sales must increase by about 5…