Retail spending up

(WWLP) - Retail sales are up in October over last year, according to SpendingPulse, a service of MasterCard Advisors. But, that's not saying much since October 2008 saw a huge plunge in spending.

Luxury items, jewelry, and clothing sales were up. But, all were still down compared to numbers from two years before.

Clothing sales rose 3.4 percent, compared to an 8.3 percent drop a year ago, but they were 5.2 percent lower than two years ago.

At the Target in Hadley, Dawn Charest, the Assistant Manager, told 22News that she welcomes any improvement in sales. "Store sales have been good. It's been up in October and it looks like it's going to be good for the Christmas season," she said.

According to the National Retail Federation, they are expecting a slight drop in holiday spending this year. Still, they say it won't be as dramatic of a drop as it was last year.