Retail Forward, Inc., Columbus, OH, said it expects the 2004 holiday season to be the best since1999 for most U.S. retail lines of trade. Sales are expected to grow on average between 6.0-6.5% froma year ago. For the key sectors known as GAFO (conventional and discount department stores,apparel stores, furniture, home furnishings, consumer electronics and other specialty stores), theforecast represents growth that would be a full percentage point higher than last year and the bestsince 1999.More...