A survey of Florida consumers shows holiday spending will be up five percent over last year. The Florida Retail Federation conducted the survey. Vice President Bill Herrle announced the results Monday at the Edison Mall in Ft. Myers. He says gift cards are the latest hot trend in holiday gift giving.

“They are proving popular with all shoppers and with all gift recipients. It’s the number one requested gift item with women and strong with men and kids as well. They’re great for retailers too because what we have found is that when someone comes in to shop with a gift card is that they often leave with a little bit more than the face value of the gift card they received.”.

Herlle says the average Floridian will spend 738 dollars on holiday gifts this year. And he says a decline in gasoline prices since the survey was taken in October could mean they buy even more.
Ft. Myers was selected as site for the retail federation to announce its holiday shopping preview because it’s one of the fastest growing markets in the state.