It's November...and that means the holiday shopping season is fast approaching.

But has the economy changed peoples gift giving plans...or have we escaped the tough times.

Brad Feldman looks for answers in area stores and in the numbers.

(Sound - snow globe) Fifty-two days left..

Just in case you are keeping track of the shopping days before Christmas

(Doug Kautzman/ Target) "I think this holiday shopping season is going to be a nice surprise to everybody." Retailers are expecting a busier year than normal

(Sound - beep) But will shoppers be filling their carts or take a more bah humbug approach

(Sound - oscar) (Carol Jacobson/ Shopper) "The same as usual which is plenty." (Shopper) "Probably more on the kids but the adults less." (Brenda Zacher/ Shopper) "Might be held back this year because of the economy and job losses hopefullly people will be able to get what they want." we've herd over and over about our good economy and how we are escaping the recession

But do the numbers tell the same story? The Bismarck-Mandan Development Association recently released numbers on the economy

When it comes to workforce...In August, fifty-nine thousand seven hundred seventy eight people punched a time clock

Just one month earlier...about thirteen hundred more people were working..

One year ago...the number of people in the workforce topped sixty-two thousand..

These numbers dont take into account the Bismarck Bobcat Plant Closure...which will eliminate more than four hundred jobs

When it comes to sales tax Collections...these too are down...year to date about three hundred seventy-five thousand dollars from September of 2009 to 2008 Taxable sales and purchases also took a hit

Shoppers have taken home about seven and a half million dollars less in merchandise during the second quarter of this year. (Mike Lund/ Herbergers) "When they talk taxable sales they talk about cars, washers and dryers all of the big things along with us and it is easier to come to herbergers or come to a retail store to spend fifty dollars on something rather than spend a thousand for something." Lund says he hasn't seen a drop in sales lately

In fact, he says October was a record month for sales

(Mike Lund/ Herbergers) "I can only contribute it to one thing and that is the North Dakota Economy. I think North Dakota is the best state to be in." However true this statement is...will be determined in the next couple of months...As holiday shoppers hit the stores looking for gifts

(Doug Kautzman/ Target) "Its going to be what the consumer is looking for this year. Find the biggest bargains they can find." Brad Feldman KX News

Both Lund and Kautzman says they have seen some changes in shopping habits.

They are seeing more people start their shopping earlier than years past. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list