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Posted on Sun, Nov 22, 2009 : 12:57 p.m.

Holiday season increases annual sales for many stores

By Alexandra Foster

Toys for the kids, home furnishings for the newlyweds - there's a specific type of gift for each person on your holiday gift list.

The National Retail Federation's 2008 Holiday Survival Kit has done the research. What type of store is the most successful during the holiday season?

For all stores, holiday sales are a big portion of the annual sales. But, some stores depend more on the holidays than others. Building equipment and supplies stores receive only 14% of their annual sales during the holidays, while jewelry stores' sales that occur during the holidays make up nearly 1/4 of their annual income.

It makes sense. After all, you're more likely to get engaged during the holiday season that you are to purchase building equipment. How dependent on the holiday season are the top five types of stores? The data below will give you the answers.

Jewelry Stores: 25.47% of annual sales are earned during the holidays
Department Stores: 23.50%
Discount Stores: 22.66%
Sporting Good Stores/Book Stores/Music Stores: 22.12%
Electronic and Appliances Stores: 21.82%