It took all of 2009 to do it, but retail is slowly building momentum after coming to a virtual standstill in late 2008. It wasn’t a strong year by any measure, but for retailers that means 2010 can only get better.

Despite deflated holiday sales, stores in the Tri-Counties and across the nation reported a mild increase in traffic from 2008’s dismal holiday season, when the faltering economy scared shoppers away from the ring of the cash register.

Data from trade groups confirms that the months of November and December were on par with last holiday season, when retailers reported the worst sales numbers in years. Trade groups can’t seem to settle on a final figure for 2009, but retailers hope the steady numbers continue into 2010.

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