Retail sales rose 8.5 percent during this year’s holiday shopping season from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, powered by soaring e-commerce sales, a report by Mastercard Inc. said on Sunday. E-commerce sales jumped 11 percent in this year’s holiday shopping season, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse report, yet again underscoring the COVID-19 pandemic’s role in transforming customers’ shopping habits. Shoppers also rushed to stores amid supply chain concerns as COVID-19 cases increased, sending sales at physical stores up 8.1 percent compared with 2020, the report added. “Shoppers were eager to secure their gifts ahead of the retail rush, with conversations surrounding supply chain and labor supply issues sending consumers online and to stores in droves,” senior advisor for Mastercard Steve Sadove said in a statement. Holiday e-commerce sales made up 20.9 percent of total retail sales this year, the data showed, noting that the sector continues to see growth as consumers enjoy …