Virginia consumers more upbeat as the holiday shopping season rolls along Gene Marrano December 10, 2025 1 minute read Alice Kassens Roanoke College photo Consumer Sentiment is much higher in Virginia than it is in the nation as a whole – and that might be good news for local businesses that often count on the Thanksgiving to Christmas stretch to jump into “the black.” More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano: Share: Post navigation Previous: The Nutcracker, Shakespeare, Best Christmas Pageant ever … and RSO’s Holiday Brass all this weekendNext: Nutcracker on stage this weekend Related Stories Roanoke councilman accuses colleague of racist remark Web Staff July 18, 2026 Roanoke metal studio crafts massive entrance sign for FloydFest 26 Ian Price July 17, 2026 Bent Mountain community pushes for historic preservation amid pipeline expansion concerns Ian Price July 17, 2026