Retail sales increase this season

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- It’s exactly one week until Christmas Day.

Many people have been purchasing gifts, and they are not alone.

Retail sales have increased this year, according to thebalance.com.

Whether its online or in store, consumers are spending money.

Consumer spending directly affects economic growth locally and nationally.

The sales team manager at the Bowling Green Belk department store, Nicole Rizer, said the store has seen an increase in consumers this month.

Belk has also seen an increase in online sales for those who would rather avoid the crowds.

“We also have our ‘buy online, pick up in store’ system. That works really well for a lot of people. They are able to search online for what they are wanting, place their order and just run by the store to our concierge counter and pick it up whenever its convenient for them,” Rizer said.

If you still have shopping to do, many stores have special holiday hours leading up to Christmas.