The Fla Retail Federation says stores will see a more than $5 million dollar hike in sales.
Florida's retailers are expecting a big holiday shopping season.
The Florida Retail Federation on Thursday predicted a 5.2 percent increase in sales for November and December compared to the same period last year.
That translates to $58 billion in consumer spending, or a $3 billion increase over the two-month holiday season in 2011. Retailers also expect to hire 42,000 holiday season workers, many of whom have already started work.
The federation bases its prediction in part on U.S. Department of Commerce figures that show the American economy is growing faster than had been expected.
An early Thanksgiving this year also means two extra shopping days compared to last year.
