Study Says Holiday Spending Will Increase, Despite Shutdown
JACKSON, Tenn. — According to a recent Gallup study, holiday spending was not shut down, by the government shutdown. The study suggests a 4 percent increase in gift sales despite the political chaos in Washington. “I already started a layaway last night so I can’t do nothing but you know, try my best to get her what she wants,” Lee said. Sherrelle Lee is raising her granddaughter on a fixed income. Earlier this month she was worried about not having childcare thanks to the shutdown. Now that things are back to normal in Washington, she can provide for her family. “She’s spoiled so she’s my only granddaughter and she might get, you know, a little more this year,” Lee said. Ja’na Sanders, a single mother from Jackson, said she starts her Christmas shopping early every year, because she is doing it all on her own. “Whatever I can get her that she really wants, I will, you know,” Sanders said. “I really just gotta budget my money.” Sanders said she will not let anything happening in Washington affect her child’s Christmas. “I’m gonna do the same thing I do every year, continue to buy whatever I need,” Sanders said. The figures from the study are based on a poll conducted in the first few days of the shutdown. Most adults in the study say they plan to spend $1,000 or more. Gallup will provide a post shutdown update on spending projections again in November.
