Slight Uptick in Christmas Spending Plans Over Last Year
![Gallup Xmas Shopping Chart - November 2012](https://www.davemanuel.com/images/gallup_xmas_2012.jpg)
According to Gallup, this points to "good, though not great, sales for holiday retailers in 2012."
Let's look at the estimated Christmas spending (November forecast) for the past 14 years:
1999 - $857
2000 - $817
2001 - $794
2002 - $690
2003 - $734
2004 - $730
2005 - $763
2006 - $826
2007 - $866
2008 - $616
2009 - $638
2010 - $714
2011 - $764
2012 - $770
You can clearly see the impact of the "Great Recession" on these numbers, as the average US consumer cut an amazing $250 off of their Christmas spending estimates in November of 2008.
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Of the 1,015 respondents included in Gallup's survey, almost 90% said that they will spend at least some money on Christmas presents this year.
Here's a breakdown of how much people are planning on spending this year:
$1,000 or More - 30%
$500 - $999 - 21%
$250 - $499 - 15%
$100 - $249 - 19%
Under $100 - 3%
None/Don't Celebrate - 6%
Not Sure - 5%
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Gallup estimates that holiday retail sales will increase 3.5% - 3.7% over last year.
Source: Gallup.com - U.S. Christmas Spending Intentions on Pace With 2011
Filed under: General Knowledge