In a good sign for retailers, five of the shoppers said they plan to spend the same amount as last year. But the other four said they plan to spend less.
Retailers here and across the country are wondering how consumers will spend their money during the holiday season, so BizSense headed to Carytown on a Friday afternoon and asked nine shoppers about their holiday plans.
In a good sign for retailers, five of the shoppers said they plan to spend the same amount as last year. But the other four said they plan to spend less.
Self-described compulsive shopper Joel Kursel said he probably will be more watchful, but that doesn’t mean he is cutting back. “I’ve been in debt all my life, unfortunately, the economy hasn’t changed that much,” Kursel said. “When I don’t have any more in my wallet, I just don’t spend anymore.”
Others are not as quick to part with their greenbacks.
College student Amanda Cook said she plans to make a lot of her gifts, such as holiday cookies and homemade cards. “Presents are way too expensive, and stores are way overpriced to me,” Cook said. “I’d rather just give something from the heart.”
Twenty-something Brandon Robertson echoed her sentiment. “I might actually start making more items, like art project-wise, instead of buying them—another way to save money,” Robertson said.
Five of the shoppers said they have starting shopping. The rest are waiting until after Thanksgiving, which is the traditional start of the shopping extravaganza.
“I don’t shop right now,” Terri Heib said. “I spread mine out all throughout the year. … When I find something that’s perfect for somebody, I buy it whether it’s in January or August.”
Nationwide, 40 percent of consumers started shopping before Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual holiday shopping survey. Retailers across the country have responded by stocking holiday items, unveiling promotions, and discounting toys and other items well in advance of Black Friday. But even consumers who have stable jobs and even enjoying some relief at the pump might be unnerved by several months of bad news.
Struggling retailers are hoping a strong holiday season will bring them back into the black, but consumers nationwide plan to spend less this year than last, according to the survey. The average person is expected to spend $466.13 on family gifts, down $3 from last year, marking the first time in the survey’s history that consumers planned to spend less than the year before.
In a good sign for retailers, five of the shoppers said they plan to spend the same amount as last year. But the other four said they plan to spend less.
Retailers here and across the country are wondering how consumers will spend their money during the holiday season, so BizSense headed to Carytown on a Friday afternoon and asked nine shoppers about their holiday plans.
In a good sign for retailers, five of the shoppers said they plan to spend the same amount as last year. But the other four said they plan to spend less.
Self-described compulsive shopper Joel Kursel said he probably will be more watchful, but that doesn’t mean he is cutting back. “I’ve been in debt all my life, unfortunately, the economy hasn’t changed that much,” Kursel said. “When I don’t have any more in my wallet, I just don’t spend anymore.”
Others are not as quick to part with their greenbacks.
College student Amanda Cook said she plans to make a lot of her gifts, such as holiday cookies and homemade cards. “Presents are way too expensive, and stores are way overpriced to me,” Cook said. “I’d rather just give something from the heart.”
Twenty-something Brandon Robertson echoed her sentiment. “I might actually start making more items, like art project-wise, instead of buying them—another way to save money,” Robertson said.
Five of the shoppers said they have starting shopping. The rest are waiting until after Thanksgiving, which is the traditional start of the shopping extravaganza.
“I don’t shop right now,” Terri Heib said. “I spread mine out all throughout the year. … When I find something that’s perfect for somebody, I buy it whether it’s in January or August.”
Nationwide, 40 percent of consumers started shopping before Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual holiday shopping survey. Retailers across the country have responded by stocking holiday items, unveiling promotions, and discounting toys and other items well in advance of Black Friday. But even consumers who have stable jobs and even enjoying some relief at the pump might be unnerved by several months of bad news.
Struggling retailers are hoping a strong holiday season will bring them back into the black, but consumers nationwide plan to spend less this year than last, according to the survey. The average person is expected to spend $466.13 on family gifts, down $3 from last year, marking the first time in the survey’s history that consumers planned to spend less than the year before.