Copyright stltoday
NEW YORK — American shoppers are expected to spend more during this holiday shopping season than last year despite economic uncertainty and rising prices. kAm%96 a_ad 7@C642DE 7C@> E96 }2E:@?2= #6E2:= u656C2E:@? 6DE:>2E6D E92E D9@AA6CD H:== 4@==64E:G6=J DA6?5 36EH66? S`]_` EC:==:@? 2?5 S`]_a EC:==:@? :? }@G6>36C 2?5 s646>36C[ 2? :?4C62D6 @7 b]fT E@ c]aT 4@>A2C65 H:E9 =2DE J62C]k^Am kAm#6E2:=6CD CF?8 FA Shfe 3:==:@? :? 9@=:52J D2=6D =2DE J62C[ 2 c]bT :?4C62D6 7C@> E96 AC:@C J62C[ E96 8C@FA D2:5]k^Am A woman shops at a retail store Sept. 23 in Arlington Heights, Ill. Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press kAm“(6VC6 D66:?8 C62==J A@D:E:G6 3692G:@C 2?5 6?8286>6?E 7C@> 4@?DF>6CD[” }#u !C6D:56?E 2?5 rt~ |2EE96H $92J E@=5 C6A@CE6CD @? 2 42== %9FCD52J] “x? 72:C?6DD[ E92E’D 366? D@>6H92E @7 2 DFCAC:D6]”k^Am People are also reading… Former St. Louis TV anchor accused of murdering her mother She was tight with St. Louis politicians. Now she has admitted to pandemic fraud Homes planned along Meramec River in St. Louis County renew flood concerns Penthouse at One Cardinal Way is filled with Cardinals memorabilia and breathtaking views Here are 5 free-agent pitchers who fit the Cardinals' needs Missouri releases school performance reports. Struggling districts get another reprieve. ‘They are literally targeting people.’ ICE comes to southern Illinois Kehoe has a rare split with Trump over meat imports from Argentina A Mehlville company sold hundreds of stolen catalytic converters. Then it got caught. Kirkwood students shown LGBTQ+ video without parent consent, lawyers complain St. Louis woman accepts plea deal, admits to killing longtime friend Teachers 'deeply concerned' about safety, education at Special School District BJC teams with UnitedHealthcare for Affordable Care Act insurance in St. Louis region St. Louis airport director to retire. She spent 15 years rebuilding traffic Here are St. Louis area restaurants open on Thanksgiving for dine-in, takeout kAmqFE $92J D2:5 >@C6 p>6C:42?D 2C6 8C@H:?8 D6=64E:G6 2?5 E96JVC6 7@4FD65 @? 5:D4@F?ED] p?5 H9:=6 DA6?5:?8 :D 6IA64E65 E@ 36 FA 282:?[ E96 8C@HE9 @7 E92E DA6?5:?8 >2J 36 :? 564=:?6]k^Am kAm%92E :D DE:== 8C62E6C E92? E96 2G6C286 :?4C62D6 @7 b]eT 36EH66? a_`_ 2?5 a_`h] p>6C:42?D C2>A65 FA DA6?5:?8 27E6C E92E 5FC:?8 E96 4@C@?2G:CFD A2?56>:4] w@=:52J D62D@? D2=6D C@D6 g]hT :? a_a_ 2?5 D@2C65 `a]dT :? a_a`[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 }#u]k^Am kAm%96 8C@FAVD 9@=:52J 7@C642DE :D 32D65 @? 64@?@>:4 >@56=:?8 FD:?8 G2C:@FD :4 :?5:42E@CD :?4=F5:?8 4@?DF>6C DA6?5:?8[ 5:DA@D23=6 A6CD@?2= :?4@>6[ 6>A=@J>6?E[ H286D[ :?7=2E:@? 2?5 AC6G:@FD >@?E9=J C6E2:= D2=6D C6=62D6D] }#u’D 42=4F=2E:@? 6I4=F56D 2FE@>@3:=6 562=6CD[ 82D@=:?6 DE2E:@?D 2?5 C6DE2FC2?ED E@ 7@4FD @? 4@C6 C6E2:=]k^Am kAmw@=:52J DA6?5:?8 244@F?ED 7@C `hT @7 2??F2= D2=6D 7@C E96 C6E2:= :?5FDECJ[ E9@F89 7@C D@>6 C6E2:=6CD E96 ?F>36C :D 2 =@E 9:896C[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 }#u] p?5 4@?DF>6C DA6?5:?8 :? E96 &]$] :D >@?:E@C65 4=@D6=J 3642FD6 :E 5C:G6D 23@FE f_T @7 E96 ?2E:@?VD 8C@DD 5@>6DE:4 AC@5F4E]k^Am Government-politics Trump may become the face of economic discontent, a year after such worries helped him win JOSH BOAK and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press kAm%96 7@C642DE E9:D J62C[ 9@H6G6C[ 2CC:G6D 5FC:?8 E96 =@?86DE 8@G6C?>6?E D9FE5@H? :? &]$] 9:DE@CJ] %96C6 92D 366? ?@ 8@G6C?>6?E 52E2 C6=62D65 @? E96 ;@3D >2C6?E[” $92J 242E6D[ 9@H6G6C[ H9:49 A@:?E E@ D=@H:?8 8C@HE9]k^Am kAm|2DE6C42C5 $A6?5:?8!F=D6[ H9:49 EC246?E >6E9@5D :?4=F5:?8 42D9[ AC65:4ED E92E 9@=:52J D2=6D H:== 36 FA b]eT 7C@> }@G] ` E9C@F89 s64] ac] %92E 4@>A2C6D H:E9 2 c]`T :?4C62D6 =2DE J62C]k^Am kAms6=@:EE6 $6CG:46D {! 7@C642DED 9@=:52J C6E2:= D2=6D E@ 36 FA 36EH66? a]hT E@ b]cT 7C@> }@G] ` E9C@F89 y2?] b`[ 4@>A2C65 H:E9 =2DE J62C’D c]aT]k^Am kAmp5@36 6IA64ED &]$] @?=:?6 D2=6D E@ 9:E Sadb]c 3:==:@? E9:D 9@=:52J D62D@?[ C6AC6D6?E:?8 d]bT 8C@HE9] %92E’D D>2==6C E92? =2DE J62C’D g]fT 8C@HE9]k^Am kAmr@?DF>6C DA6?5:?8 :? E96 &]$] 92D C6>2:?65 C6D:=:6?E 6G6? 2D 4@?DF>6C 4@?7:56?46 92D 6C@565]k^Am High turkey prices expected this holiday season kAm|2C:DE 2?5 6I64FE:G6 5:C64E@C @7 C6D62C49[ D2:5 4@?DF>6C 3692G:@C :D 492?8:?8 H:E9 2 D92CA6C 7@4FD @? 7:?5:?8 562=D] p?5 E96 7C6BF6?4J @7 72>:=J ?:89ED @FE 2E 2 C6DE2FC2?E :D @? E96 564=:?6[ }#u 6I64FE:G6D D2:5]k^Am kAm%96 E:>:?8 @7 E96 8@G6C?>6?E D9FE5@H? :D “23D@=FE6=J AC@3=6>2E:4[” |2EE96HD D2:5[ ?@E:?8 E92E :E’D =65 E@ 2 =@DD :? AC:G2E6\D64E@C :?4@>6[ H9:49 6C@56D 4@?DF>6C 56>2?5]k^Am kAm$A6?5:?8 D9@F=5 C64@G6C @?46 E96 D9FE5@H? 6?5D[ |2EE96HD D2:5[ 3FE E96C6 2C6 3C@256C :DDF6D @7 4@?46C? E92E H:== ?@E 36 D@=G65 H96? E96 8@G6C?>6?E D9FE5@H? 6?5D]k^Am kAm%96 82A 36EH66? H62=E9J 2?5 =@H6C\:?4@>6 9@FD69@=5D :D H:56?:?8[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 2?2=JDED]k^Am kAmq2D65 @? DA6?5:?8 7C@> :ED 4C65:E 42C5 2?5 32?6CD[ q2?6C:42 7@F?5 E92E DA6?5:?8 8C@HE9 2>@?8 =@H6C :?4@>6 9@FD69@=5D C@D6 _]eT :? $6AE6>36C 4@>A2C65 H:E9 E96 D2>6 A6C:@5 =2DE J62C] p>@?8 9:896C :?4@>6 3C24@C6 E92? 7@FC E:>6D E92E DA665[ @C a]eT[ :? $6AE6>36C] p?5 H286D 2C6 8C@H:?8 72DE6C 7@C 9:896C :?4@>6 9@FD69@=5D]k^Am Banks and retailers run short on pennies as the US Mint stops making them Associated Press kAm%92E :D >2@C6 5:77:4F=E 7@C =@H6C :?4@>6 9@FD69@=5D E@ :4 724E@CD 2C6 AFD9:?8 AC:46D 9:896C]k^Am kAmx? 2 D6A2C2E6 C6A@CE E9:D H662E65 E92E &]$] 4@?DF>6CD 2C6 362C:?8 d_T E@ f_T @7 E96 &]$] E2C:77 4@DED[ 2?5 :E 6IA64ED E92E =@25 E@ 8C@H]k^Am kAm“(6 E9:?:?8 6G:56?46 E92E E2C:77D 92G6 AFD965 :?7=2E:@? 9:896C 7@C 4@?DF>6CD[’’ q2?6C:42 64@?@>:DED $E6A96? yF?62F 2?5 p5:EJ2 q92G6 HC@E6]k^Am kAmpE E96 D2>6 E:>6[ &]$] 4@>A2?:6D 92G6 2??@F?465 E6?D @7 E9@FD2?5D @7 ;@3 4FED] $@>6 4@>A2?:6D 92G6 4:E65 C:D:?8 @A6C2E:@?2= 4@DED 7C@> ?6H E2C:77D F?56C E96 %CF>A 25>:?:DEC2E:@?[ 2D H6== 2D D9:7E:?8 4@?DF>6C DA6?5:?8[ 4@CA@C2E6 C6DECF4EFC:?8[ @C :?4C62D65 DA6?5:?8 @? 2CE:7:4:2= :?E6==:86?46]k^Am kAm%92E 92D =65 C6E2:=6CD E@ AF== 324< @? E96 9:C:?8 @7 D62D@?2= H@C<6CD]k^Am Uncertainty over the economy and tariffs forces many retailers to be cautious on holiday hires ANNE D'INNOCENZIO Associated Press Government-politics In election 2025, the economy's still the main thing, according to AP Voter Poll JOSH BOAK, LINLEY SANDERS and AMELIA THOMSON-DEVEAUX Associated Press How to shop greener for the holidays. Tips for eco-conscious gifters of all levels. How to shop greener for the holidays. Tips for eco-conscious gifters of all levels. Gift-giving is a cornerstone of relationships. People express gifting in myriad ways, from spontaneous, smaller-scaled acts like baking treats to more elaborate signs of affection like planning a trip.Presents can be physical manifestations of social relationships, which remain significant even in a digital age. But amid growing concerns about sustainability, many are rethinking how they show appreciation to those they love. Some have chosen to gift more strategically, reducing the volume of their purchases. Others have simply foregone the ritual altogether, finding less tangible expressions of gratitude. Stacker analyzed data from the National Retail Federation, NielsenIQ, and other sources to see how gifting is becoming greener and how consumers can navigate this holiday season differently.This 2024 holiday season, the National Retail Federation predicts more generous gift-givers willing to spend about $902 on average for gifts, food, and decoration—$25 more than in 2023. Despite the larger budgets, there seems to be a generational difference in what consumers spend money on.According to strategist Phil Rist in NRF's study, even though plenty of shoppers will choose traditional retailers this season, those from 18 to 24 may opt for resale or thrift stores. "Secondhand and refurbished gifts appeal to this age group's desire to save money and be more sustainable," Rist said.NielsenIQ's analysis of shopping trends demonstrates that Gen Z consumers worldwide are asking more pointed questions about the brands producing the gifts they'll be giving during the holidays. Consumers are scrutinizing where ingredients come from, the companies that make the products, and the environmental impact of such objects.Only about 1 in 5 Gen Z consumers identify as brand loyal, meaning companies will have to do more to earn Gen Z's dollars, including taking stock of their products' sustainability and social impact, according to a NielsenIQ survey conducted in late 2023. Brands that can answer these questions are at an advantage in this era of more eco-conscious consumerism.Sustainable shopping means buying things that have a minimal negative impact on the environment and society. This negative impact must do no harm in every stage of a product's life cycle, from the raw materials to how the product is recycled or reused. Practices like regifting and buying secondhand are inherently more sustainable than purchasing new from retail stores or Amazon. Shopping at thrift stores and regifting are two of many easy, actionable ways consumers can gift greener.You may also like: Where can parents affordably raise a child from infancy to teenhood? DC Studio // Shutterstock Check for certifications The most sustainable way to shop involves knowing exactly where your gift comes from and whether the company's manufacturing and labor practices are sound. One easy way for a consumer to identify this is by looking for brands and companies that are Fair Trade Certified. These brands are committed to safe working conditions and livable wages for employees, protecting the environment, and giving back to their local communities. These products offer shoppers who want the peace of mind that what they're gifting has been made with an eye toward how it impacts the environment.One can find fair trade products on a database like Fair Trade Certified or even mega-shopping sites like Amazon by looking for a Climate Pledge Friendly badge on a product's page before purchasing. Moreover, many of these companies have environmentally friendly packaging—a plus for customers looking to shop more sustainably. Baloncici // Shutterstock Go back to the makers, artisans, and craftspeople Another approach to shopping locally involves buying products from local craftspeople at small holiday fairs and bazaars. Cities of all sizes—from New York City to Columbus, Ohio, to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and onward—hold various events where customers can buy gifts directly from the people who made them. These artisans not only know all about the sustainability of their materials but can also tell you what makes their work special.Gifts from art fairs typically have more sentimental value than a knickknack from an Amazon wishlist. Similarly, shopping at a small local business instead of online or a big-box store helps local communities thrive. Generally, small craft-based businesses are more likely to make roughly half their annual income during the holiday season. Ground Picture // Shutterstock Gifting more than physical objects Perhaps the most important lesson to learn from investing in sustainability is that having more stuff that isn't being used is not beneficial for the gift recipient or the environment. Rather than material goods, consider giving tickets to a show, sporting event, or concert. Gift certificates to a loved one's favorite restaurant, or better yet, a spot in a cooking class where they can learn how to make their favorite food themselves, are also great alternatives. The options for gifting amazing experiences are abundant. Another approach is to invest time and effort into creating something, such as a scarf, poem, or song.However, if the act of gift-giving starts to feel more of an obligation than a pleasure, it may be time to have a sincere conversation with loved ones and friends about one's views on consumerism. Gifters may find that would-be recipients may just be as open to unconventional ideas of appreciation as them.Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.
