PITTSBURG, Kan. — Retail sales nationwide increased in October as the holiday season approached, according to Dr. Michael Davidsson of the Kelce Business College at Pittsburg State. The holiday season, between Thanksgiving and New Years, is vital for retailers as they earn the largest share of their annual revenue during this period. According to the National Retail Federation, Pittsburg area residents spent an average of $900 on holiday purchases, an increase of 2.5 percent more than 2023.