TAMPA, Fla. – As holiday shoppers make their lists and check them twice, the Florida Retail Federation (FRF) is urging Floridians to keep their money close to home.
‘Find it in Florida’
The backstory:
The organization’s latest initiative, “Find It in Florida,” is designed to highlight the impact of shopping local — from strengthening communities to supporting small business owners across the state.
According to FRF, Florida businesses provide one out of every five jobs statewide and pay more than $69 billion in wages annually. Those wages, in turn, help Florida families buy holiday gifts, pay bills, and put food on the table.
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The FRF hopes the “Find it in Florida” campaign will remind shoppers that every purchase made in-state helps fuel Florida’s economy and support local workers during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year.
Holiday shopping projections
By the numbers:
Nationwide, shoppers appear ready to open their wallets again this season. A survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) found that consumers plan to spend an average of $890 per person on gifts, décor, and other holiday items.
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If the projections hold, this year would mark the second-highest holiday spending level recorded by the NRF in more than two decades.
Despite the optimistic spending forecast, economists note that federal uncertainty and the ongoing government shutdown could affect consumer confidence. The NRF survey was conducted in early October — before the prolonged shutdown — meaning shoppers’ actual spending habits could still shift.
What they’re saying:
Still, the message from Florida retailers remains simple: when you shop local, you strengthen the Sunshine State’s economy.
The Source: The information in this article was gathered by FOX 13’s Mariah Harrison.