Small businesses enter vital season, holiday spending expectations high [Video]

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Holiday shopping in the Omaha metro is expected to reach a new high this year, but where those dollars are spent can make or break a small business.

In a statement to First Alert 6, officials at the Greater Omaha Chamber said they anticipate the region, “to follow national economic trends outlined by the National Retail Federation, which shows a projected increase in holiday spending.”

On the contrary, in a new holiday survey by Experian, 68% of respondents said, “economic inflation will impact their shopping this year.”

Data by Salesforce predicts the holiday shopping season could bring challenges for businesses, with some shoppers having, “less purchasing power than in past years.”

Lukas Rix is the owner of the two Prairie in Bloom locations in Omaha. He said ahead of the big holiday rush, sales at his west Omaha home décor and gift shop are similar to last year.

“We’re not sure if that …