The holiday season should increase the number of jobs Fort Lauderdale has to offer. Visit http://broward.jobing.com for more information.

The Florida Retail Federation is predicting that the state will see a 3 percent to 4 percent increase in retail sales this holiday season when compared to last year. The nation as a whole is expected to see an increase of 2.3 percent.

"Consumers are showing that they're tired of being totally frugal, and that they plan on being a little more generous this year," Rick McAllister, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, said in a press release. "I believe both consumers and retailers can look forward to a rewarding holiday season."

One of the reasons that sales are expected to increase is because consumer confidence is increasing. A recent study from the University of Florida found that consumer confidence is currently the highest it's been in six months.

And retailers are planning to hire more seasonal workers to keep up with the expected increase in spending. The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation notes that 30,000 to 40,000 seasonal workers were hired during 2008 and 2009, and that number is expected to be even higher this year.

"Throughout the recession, the retail industry has been one of the brightest spots in the hiring slump," McAllister said. "Retailers provide one out of every five jobs in Florida. Just like Santa needs his elves, retailers need extra 'elves' to spread the holiday spirit. They'll be hard at work helping consumers find the perfect gifts this holiday season."

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