Ohioans are expected to spend more this holiday season than last year.

The University of Cincinnati Economics Center predicts that spending will climb 3.1% to $32 billion in the state. The group studies nine metropolitan regions in Ohio each year for the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, with spending expected to grow in six of them this year.

Researchers cited slightly higher employment, and wages and salaries increasing by 4.8% between 2024 and 2025 as reasons.

"Sales are expected to be strong despite multiple surveys showing weakening consumer confidence," the study says.

The Akron and Mansfield areas will see lower holiday sales, while the Toledo area is forecasted to remain about the same. Spending is predicted to increase in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Lima and You

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