FOX 13’s Evan Axelbank reports on shoppers being more willing to open their wallets this holiday season, as sales for small businesses in Tampa and around the nation were up this year.
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The National Retail Federation expected a 2.5 to 3.5% increase. Each shopper was expected to spend $902.
“That is record spending for the holidays,” said Trae Bodge, a journalist who covers retail. “But in terms of year over year, it’s quite modest. So consumers are spending a little bit more, but they’ve been spending quite conservatively.”
The challenge for local boutiques is two-fold.
One is that MasterCard says digital shopping grew by 6.7% this year, while in-store sales rose by 2.9%.
Bodge says one poll found three-quarters of shoppers considered bargains essential.
The growth in holiday spending is clear, with $833 being spent per person just two years ago, compared to $902 this year.
“These are all unique items that you really just can’t get anywhere else,” said Messina. “So that’s sort of one of the ways we’re able to combat that.”
Click here to view the original segment on Fox13news.com.
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