Popular Holiday Gifts This Season
ROSEVILLE (WCCO) -- An annual holiday spending sentiment survey shows Twin Cities' shoppers are feeling more confident about the economy.
The annual survey by the University of St. Thomas indicates families will spend an average of $680 this season -- that's a jump of 6.8 percent.
But what kind of gifts are the most popular?
It's great news to retailers who've really been hit hard the past few years with the decline in holiday spending.
But don't expect those huge sales. Inventory will be tight and shoppers are hitting the stores early.
Robyn Sitarz said she's spending money on "clothes, gadgets, cologne, hats, anything that kids consider cool these days."
While clothing is always a popular choice, according to the annual St. Thomas holiday spending sentiment survey, gift cards will again be the No.1 purchase. And No. 2 is a bit of a surprise.
"One of the large groups that rebound from last year is books and we think a lot of that has to do with the E readers," said David Brennan.
Their prices have dropped considerably, similar to big screen TVs, which are down some 40 percent.
Clothing will be No. 3, followed by entertainment, toys and electronics.
And remember those huge sales from last season when retailers feared getting stuck with unsold merchandise?
Don't expect as many or as deep, because they learned their lessons and inventories are much tighter.
