During the economic recession, many retailers throughout the United States took a big hit in terms of customer retention and sales. Now, conditions are picking back up, and so too are the positive outlooks of businesses for the coming year.

DC Velocity reports that at the recent Retail Chain Supply Conference hosted by the Retail Industry Leaders Association, many industry professionals said they are optimistic about 2013 and they believe the steady economic recovery will result in more growth for their companies. A survey was conducted at the event, and 52 percent of attendees said they have a positive outlook for 2013, while 28 percent stated they are still uncertain about the nation's economy and their own operations. The remaining 20 percent are slightly pessimistic, the poll found.

This boost in optimism among retailers matches the growing confidence of American consumers. The latest Consumer Confidence Index from The Conference Board rose to 69.6 for the month of February, a sharp jump from January's figure of 58.4. While impacts from the fiscal cliff deal seem to have affected last month's index, individuals are learning to cope with the change and are becoming increasingly confident in their financial conditions.