Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the unemployment rate rose to 6.7 percent in November, compared with 4.7 percent a year earlier. Looking at the economy, American consumers apparently have little to feel cheerful about as the holidays approach.Īccording to U.S. 'As a family tradition, it's way too important,' he said. NCTA spokesman Rick Dungey said that 'over the years we've found the economy doesn't impact tree sales that much at all.' Fake, or artificial, Christmas tree sales jumped 87 percent to 17.4 million in 2007 from 9.3 million.
