James P. Hallan

Most Michigan retailers (62 percent) are optimistic about spring sales, following six consecutive months of sales gains over last year. That’s according to the latest Michigan Retail Index survey, conducted by Michigan Retailers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

More than three of every four Michigan retailers (76 percent) expect their 2011 sales to grow, with the largest group projecting gains of less than 5 percent, according to the latest Michigan Retail Index survey conducted by Michigan Retailers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Heading into Black Friday’s “official” start of holiday shopping, the table was set for a better season.

Most Michigan retailers — 58 percent — expect better sales this holiday season, and their overall projections are the best since 2004.

More Michigan retailers saw improved sales during August, but they also became more cautious about the next three months.

How is 2010 shaping up for Michigan retailers a little more than halfway through the year? Is it better, worse or about the same as they expected?

Rebounding retail sales hit a snag in May as Michigan’s retail industry posted sharply lower numbers, according to the latest Michigan Retail Index survey, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Michigan retailers’ sales and forecasts remained comparatively strong in March, far ahead of last winter’s weak numbers but off from February, according to the latest Michigan Retail Index survey, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Michigan retailers’ sales and forecasts rose in February, surging past last winter’s weak numbers, according to the latest Michigan Retail Index survey, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

LANSING — Michigan retailers began 2010 with an upswing in sales and confidence, according to the latest Michigan Retail Index survey, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.