Retailers in Florida are expecting a green Christmas... but they say it would have been even greener if not for Irma.
Scott Shalley, at the Florida Retail Federation, says a lot of money that might have been spent on the holidays is being used to repair hurricane damage.
"So, despite a number of positive economic indicators, we expect holiday sales to be on the lower end of national numbers, settling in around 3 to 3 and a half percent, which still shows growth and should mean great things for Sunshine State retailers," he said.
Shalley says the overall strength of Florida’s economy and the resilience of the state’s retail industry should offset some of the financial impact of Irma.