Alabama holiday spending expected to hit $18.75 billion this year, up…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Holiday spending in Alabama this year is expected to hit $18.75 billion, a 4% increase from last year, according to the Alabama Retail Association.

Even with concerns over inflation and higher prices, the Alabama Retail Association says a lot of shoppers are not cutting back. The national average for a family’s holiday spending this year is nearly $900, according to the National Retail Federation.

That includes gifts, decorations, food and other seasonal items.

“They’re continuing to spend at a pace that is above last year, but it is a slower pace than it has been in the last couple of years,” Alabama Retail Association Director Nancy Dennis said.

Dennis said many people are shopping earlier this year and taking advantage of deals when they can.

“We’ve really seen this shift in the emphasis on Black Friday, we’re really talking…