As stores begin decking their halls with sales and advertisements ahead of the holidays, it's shaping up to be a particularly merry season in the Valley.

The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants and the University of Cincinnati's Economics Center released its annual holiday retail spending forecast this year and they predict the Valley to have the strongest growth in the state. 

They expect the Valley will be leading the way for this seasons retail spending growth rate with a projected increase of almost 7%, a first for the area in many years.

Michelle Phillips, director of research for Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber believes an influx in manufacturing and healthcare jobs is likely what made the difference.

Brad Evans, of the University of Cincinnati's Economic Center, said their 2023 Holiday Retail Forecast shows the state will see a 0.7% increase in retail spending  compared to the holidays last year.