General retail sales in October rose 1.8% compared to the same month in 2008, according to Thomson Reuters. Shoppers "cautiously re-emerged . . . at both the low-priced and upscale ends of the market," the Wall Street Journal reported.

This was "the second monthly year-over-year increase for retailers this year and the best performance since April 2008, according to Retail Metrics. The fall momentum has given retailers, beleaguered by a year of sharp sales declines and steep discounting, more confidence heading into the critical holiday shopping season," the Journal wrote.

"We feel good," said Bob Nelson, head of investor relations at Costco. "Sporting goods, apparel, small appliances--everywhere we're seeing an uptick in our business. As we continue to see more good news every day, it is helping the affluent consumer be willing to part a little more with their cash."

Michael P. Niemira, chief economist and director of research for the International Council of Shopping Centers, told the New York Times that the "improvement in the stock market has had a significant impact on the affluent shopper's willingness to spend . . . the luxury market has shown its first positive reading since May 2008."

"The patient is out of critical intensive care, but is not in full-bloom health yet," cautioned Craig R. Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, but he also said "there is a general consumer willingness to begin to spend again."