OMAHA, Neb. (WNAX) – A very different and possibly difficult holiday shopping season is ahead for retailers. The ongoing pandemic is expected to sharply cut into traditional black Friday sales.

Ernie Goss, an economics professor at Creighton University in Omaha, says many businesses will have a hard time finding full and part time workers.

Goss says this might be the last holiday season for many retailers.

Goss says people need to take advantage of their local businesses when they can.

Goss is predicting an increase of one to three percent in holiday spending this year.