Retailers across the country were hoping for exceptional holiday sales during the end of 2012, and while their wish was not fully granted, total sales numbers did increase from the same time last year, showing a strong season overall. Consumers spent more as they became more confident in their own financial conditions as well as the nation's economy.

According to a recently released study by ShopperTrak, holiday retail sales increased 2.5 percent from last year's amounts, and foot traffic at brick-and-mortar locations also jumped by 2.5 percent. In total, shoppers spent approximately $248.8 billion throughout November and December. Retailers improved their efforts to draw in consumers by providing deals and incentives and offering the most-wanted holiday products.

"Our data indicates that more people visited more stores this holiday season than the previous year," said ShopperTrak founder Bill Martin. "Retailers who understood their foot traffic were able to staff, stock and market to best serve their customers, ultimately converting more of the browsers into buyers."

Seasonal employees were one aspect that retailers paid attention to this past holiday season, as NBC News cites research from Challenger, Gray & Christmas which revealed that businesses added approximately 728,000 jobs to help with the holiday shopping rush.