COLUMBUS, Ohio – The malls will be crowded on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to a forecast from the University of Cincinnati.
The school’s Economic Center predicts holiday sales in Columbus will be 6.3 percent higher than last year, outpacing increases in the rest of the state and the nation.
In its annual analysis prepared in conjunction with the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, the center says consumer confidence is at a seven-year high and lower gas prices have left more money in household budgets.
The study predicts Ohio retail spending will grow by 4.5 per cent this holiday season with shoppers spending a total of $14.5 billion in November and December. That is an increase of $630 million over last year.
Spending nationally is expected to be about 4.1 percent higher during the holiday shopping season.