More shoppers paying with cash, debit

(WWLP) - The official start of the holiday shopping season is fast approaching, but are more people making purchases with cash or credit?

About 71% of consumers will be using cash or debit cards to buy their holiday gifts this year. That's according to the National Retail Federation.

They estimate that only a little more than 28% of people will be spending with credit cards this year. That's down from 31.5% last year.

In Hampshire County, most people 22News spoke to said they would be buying less in general, but they differed in how they'd pay.

Ines Ventura will be using her debit card, "I really don't like racking up credit card bills," she said.

Linda Taylor will be shopping with credit. "I think I'll be more on the credit card side just because the way the cash flow works."

Retailers are anticipating this shift and are responding with major sales starting on Black Friday.