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N.D. (AP) – Holiday shoppers in the Dakotas are expected to spend more than they did last year, though a slumping oil economy in North Dakota has retailers there nervous.

North Dakota Retail Association President Mike Rud (rood) is forecasting an increase in holiday sales this year in the 1  1/2 to 2  1/2 percent range. That would be less than the 3.7 percent increase the National Retail Federation expects nationally.

South Dakota Retailers Association Director Shawn Lyons says about three-fourths of businesses that responded to a survey expect spending to be the same as last year or slightly up.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says low crop prices and manufacturing slowdowns are weighing down the regional economy. The oil slowdown in North Dakota also has led to a drop in taxable sales.