With Halloween behind us, the Christmas displays are shifting to the front of area stores. Some are also starting up the holiday music as they look to get people in the spending spirit.
Louisiana's relatively low unemployment rate has local retailers encouraged about the upcoming holiday season.
And it appears that folks do have cash on hand.
"They do have a budget, and they will make those purchases. But they're going to be smarter purchases this year," says Louisiana retail analyst Jim Rutledge.
That could mean things like clothing. But Rutledge also expects electronics to attract a lot of attention again.
"Some new gimmicks and gizmos for cell phones and whatnot are coming out."
Listen to Don Ames' conversation with Rutledge:
And he says there are and will be will be bargains to be had.
"Early buyers are beginning to take advantage of some of the early season specials," he says.
And it looks like more folks than ever are going the internet route this year.
"A lot of people have been going on-line, getting some of that 'out-of-the-way stuff' done," says Rutledge.
If you shop the web, don't forget to ask the stores to honor whatever sales may be going on on-line.
Rutledge says layaway purchases are also gaining steam.
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