Holiday Shopping Is Expected to Be up, Depending on the Government Shutdown

Anne D’Innocenzio (AP)

Holiday shoppingAmericans, who’re increasingly optimistic about improving economic conditions, are expected to spend at a more rapid clip during the upcoming holiday shopping season than they did last year. But that could change if the partial government shutdown that has forced about 800,000 federal workers off the job continues and causes shoppers to lose confidence in the economy.