ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – As temperatures drop and the holidays approach, people pull out their wallets to spoil friends, family and even themselves.

The National Retail Federation forecasts that winter holiday spending is expected to grow between 2.5% and 3.5% over 2023. That’s between $979.5 billion and $989 billion in total holiday spending in November and December, compared with $955.6 billion during the same time last year.

A factor in overall retail sales growth is expected from online shopping. Online and other non-store sales are included in the total. These sales are expected to increase between 8 and 9% to a total of between $295.1 billion and $297.9 billion. This number is up from $273.3 billion last year.

Christine Lamantia, the owner of Roxy Carmichael Boutique, brings up that this time frame is in the store’s fourth quarter which tends to be its busiest season.

She also says, “For us to see an increase in sales; gives us hope. Especially coming off of, I know COVID was 2020, but every year it has gotten better. We love to see the increase in sales and customers.”

For retailers, the season runs from November 1 through December 31. Roxy Carmichael and other stores in The Edgebrook Shopping Center will hold several events to draw customers in.

This year, the shopping window between Thanksgiving and Christmas is six days shorter than normal.

Owner of B Jones, Brandi Jones says, “We want to be there and be everything for everyone. I think it’s going to push people to shop earlier this year. We’re doing our holiday open house a little bit earlier this year. I feel like it’s just going to make it festive and fun and crazy in the end.”

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