Nearly Half of Americans Begin Holiday Shopping Before Halloween, What About You?
The National Retail Federation released its annual holiday shopping forecast. Americans are shopping earlier than ever, the survey shows, which could lead to a 4.1 percent increase in national sales.
Accustomed to pinching pennies thanks to years of economic downturn, holiday shoppers this year will look for ways to cut corners, comparative shop online and even plan to travel less, if not at all, the National Retail Federation said in its annual shopping forecast for the Christmas season. On average, the NRF expects holiday consumers to spend $749.51 on holiday gifts, decor, greeting cards and more in 2012. That's more than the $740.57 shoppers actually spent in 2011. And before you think Patch is reporting on the holiday season, think again. According to the survey, nearly half of Americans say they've begun holiday shopping before Halloween—12.3 percent of those surveyed before September; 7 percent during September; and 22.1 percent…
