Nearly two-thirds of Michigan retailers are expecting a better holiday shopping season this year.
The Michigan Retailers Association polled its members about their expectations for the upcoming holiday shopping season and found 63% predict better sales than last year, while 28% expect sales will be more than 5% better.
Nationally, sales are expected to rise by 4%.
Jim Hallan is the president and CEO of the Michigan Retailers Association.
He says lower gasoline prices, lower unemployment and other factors should boost Christmas season sales.
“Right now, the factors are good,” says Hallan. “Weather’s always the unknown.”
Last year, Michigan retailers were enjoying a very good holiday shopping season until a severe ice storm struck during the final weekend before Christmas. The storm kept many shoppers at home.
