Shopping outlook both good and bad

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Shoppers are already starting to think about gift-buying, but they may not be spending as much as usual.

According to a survey by consulting company Accenture, 69 percent of shoppers will do most of their shopping by Dec. 7. That's nine points better than 2008.

"We've seen an increase too," said Honey Creek Mall Assistant General Manager Monica Schiller. "Especially on the weekends, we're really starting to see the pick-up of people trying to really get some good deals."

But some bad news for retailers. More than 60 percent of shoppers plan to set a holiday budget this year. That's an increase of almost ten percent over 2008.

The survey also revealed 86 percent of shoppers said they wouldn't buy without a discount of at least 20 percent.