NORTH CAROLINA -- Expect to see big crowds at the malls this holiday season.

  • Projections are showing that folks plan on spending more than four percent more this year
  • While online retailers are continuing to have a big chunk of that spending surge, brick and mortar stores are continuing their fight to keep customers in their stores
  • Forecasts indicate people will spend just over $1,000 this year on Christmas

Projections are showing that folks plan on spending more than four percent more this year than last year.

While online retailers are continuing to have a big chunk of that spending surge, brick and mortar stores are continuing their fight to keep customers in their stores.

Economists say the holiday season trend should continue into the new year.

"We may see a little bit of a slow down in the rate of improvement," said NC State economist Michael Walden. "We have seen some problems in the international scene. So, I think a fair forecast would be yes, the economy in general is going to be good but the rate of improvement in 2018 over 2019 is not going to be as good as in previous years."

Forecasts indicate people will spend just over $1,000 this year on Christmas.

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