A recent survey of consumer confidence in Middle Tennessee shows shoppers here planning to tone down their holiday spending compared to last year, but they’re not cutting back as much as the rest of the country.
A survey of 501 residents in Williamson, Rutherford, and Davidson counties earlier this month shows nearly half plan to spend more than $500 on holiday gifts this year. Nationwide, only 27% of consumers said they would spend that same amount. Middle Tennessee State University’s Office of Consumer Research conducted the survey. Director, Dr. Tim Graeff:
“What we have found ever since we started doing this survey back in 2000 is that people in Middle Tennessee are more optimistic. And I think that’s because we are a diverse economy, we don’t rely on any one industry.”
15% of those surveyed do plan on spending less, but it’s not clear by how much. The job market also remains a heavy concern. There was a 10% increase in the number of residents who believe it’s hard to find a job in the midstate.
http://frank.mtsu.edu/~consumer/mtcc_reports.shtml
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM