NEW YORK (AP) — Holiday shoppers expect to spend quite a bit more than they did a year ago.
An annual consumer survey by Deloitte, a retail services firm, forecasts about a 13 percent increase compared with last year. A much brighter view of the economy is credited.
Households are expected to spend about $1,300 on gifts, decorations, socializing, furnishings and other holiday-related expenses.
The survey also found more than 40 percent of consumers who responded said they plan to do most of their holiday shopping in December, some even after Christmas. Last year, a last-minute crunch for free-shipping resulted in many gifts arriving late.
And while a majority said they’re concerned about protecting their personal data while shopping online and in stores, 56 percent said they still plan to shop at retailers that have experienced data breaches.
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