Optimism not matching last year.

• Position: Small Businesses - Brief article

Small business owners are less optimistic about the 2013 holiday shopping climate compared to last year, and their employees' pockets may feel it.

According to the 2013 American Express Small Business Holiday Monitor, 30% of retailers think their holiday sales this season will be strong, down from 41% last year and, as a result, just 40% of business owners will be giving their clients and customers gifts this year, down from 51% last Christmas.

Other key findings include:

* 32% of small business owners will be throwing a holiday party, down from 40% last year; on average, they will spend $895 on their celebration, down from $959 a year ago.

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