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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Consumer confidence among Floridians rose three points to 69 in December, reflecting a cautious optimism in the economy, according to a recent University of Florida survey. Though the latest figure is only one point below the level set in December 2010, it also marks the highest rank in the past nine months.

The index used by UF researchers in the survey is benchmarked to 1966, which means a value of 100 represents the same level of confidence for that year. The lowest index possible is a 2; the highest is 150.

Summer is nearly over, school supply lists are out and Florida's sales tax holiday runs Friday through Sunday, giving all shoppers a break from the 6.5 percent added to store receipts.

That break is limited, but the limits have been raised this year: clothing that costs $75 or less, up from $50 last year; and school supplies up to $15, up from $10. Books, however, have been removed from tax-exempt status.

Many Americans are concerned about their budgets, but retailers are also keeping a close eye on their wallets as well. In a tight economy, retailers are becoming increasingly innovative when it comes to getting you in the door and saving your money. From $1.50 brewed coffee at Starbucks to cheaper options on restaurant menus, retailers are offering a variety of deals to motivate customers to shop with them. Bureau of Economic and Business Research Research Economist David Denslow says that retailers are having to compete with the world wide web.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s retailers are in for a repeat of last year’s dismal holiday season, with consumers expecting to spend about the same amount of money on gifts, a new University of Florida survey finds.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s consumer confidence fell three points to 69 in November amid continued concerns over the state’s high unemployment rate, according to a new University of Florida survey.

“We had expected consumer confidence to fluctuate in the upper 60s to low 70s for the next several months, so a decline was not a surprise,” said Chris McCarty, survey director of UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. “There are reasons for growing pessimism, particularly lingering employment issues that are expected to get worse over the next several months.”

Sept. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Five U.S. states that were among the hardest hit by job losses and the construction slump also had declines in household incomes during the first year of the recession, according to a government report.

Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana and Michigan all saw median household incomes drop in 2008, the Census Bureau said yesterday in an annual report. Only one state had a decline the previous year.

When Fran and Ian Love opened the Clubhouse Bar & Grill in Vero Beach in 2005, they thought their new eatery would be a gold mine because of its prime location.

Just steps away from Dodgertown, the Loves’ restaurant thrived when the Dodgers played spring training games at Holman Stadium. But with the local economy tanking and Dodgertown now a ghost town, the couple are struggling to keep their doors open.