Consumers Shop Smarter This Holiday Season

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Specialty shops have seen a boom in business in recent weeks meaning consumers might be more willing to spend this season despite a tough economic situation.

"I think people are, tend to stay close by. You know, they might not be traveling as much, so they're spending more money on their homes. So we're seeing all that home decor, Christmas things going well," said Stephanie Hale, Blessings and Blooms manager.

But while consumers aren't left unscathed by the recession, they are shopping smarter.

"We have seen people who are obviously saying, 'What are you doing for the holidays,' or that kind of thing trying to see if we do have discounts, or if we have different specials or promotions," said Debbie Repka, On A Whim operations manager.

OCU Meinders School of Business Professor Steve Agee said a survey recently reported holiday spending is down, but consumers are shopping with a plan.

"People are less wealthy and their incomes have been cut, so usually they substitute, you know, more expensive items for less expensive items and that's being a smart shopper," Agee said.

More and more customers are stretching the dollars, and experts said that is still good news that they are still spending money even if it's on a much smaller scale this holiday season.