Florida Retailers Seek Holiday Shoppers' Dollars
In-state retailers embracing online trend, but want people buying from shops with local locations
In-state retailers are embracing the trend, and want to make sure people buy from online shops with locations in Florida.
It's that time of year again -- holiday shopping season -- and retailers are feeling optimistic. They are predicting a modest 3.5 percent increase in sales, with online sales expected to skyrocket by as much as 15 percent.
In-state retailers are embracing the trend, and want to make sure people buy from online shops with locations in Florida.
"I'd rather go to a store and get it the same exact day than order it online, wait a few days, and then when I get it, it doesn't fit," said Miramar resident Elissa Andujer.
But fewer people may actually see the specials in the stores, like Michelle Roberts, who plans to do half her shopping online this year.
"I look for stores where I can return items, so I shop there online and bring things back if I need to," Roberts said.
Online buys come from one in five shoppers, or 20 percent. That number continues to grow five percent every year. Because of this, Florida business groups are trying to make online shops without stores in Florida collect sales tax.
Right now major online retailers like Amazon.com don’t have to collect the tax, so Florida Retail Federation President Rick McAllister wants shoppers to look for online stores with locations in the state - to keep more money in Florida.
"You don’t want to be a tax scofflaw," McAllister said. "So my suggestion is to pick those retailers, shop online, but find the ones that collect your sales tax for you."
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