November 30, 2025 • 32 mins
Los Angeles shoppers are gearing up to outspend the national average this holiday season — but what does that mean for the local economy? Michael speaks with Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez about the new security grants aimed at helping micro-businesses fight rising crime, the impact of copper wire theft on business corridors, and the latest debate over rent caps and how it could reshape LA housing development.
Then, Summer Taylor from Deloitte joins the show to break down LA’s holiday shopping forecast, revealing why Angelenos are still spending big despite economic concerns .
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
This is Michael Monks Reports. I'm Michael Monks from KFI News.
Will be together till nine o'clock tonight. I hope you
had a great Thanksgiving and that you're staying sane if
you're out there in the mad rush of holiday shopping.
There is a new survey out that shows people in
and around Los Angeles expect to spend more this holiday
season than the national average, not by much, though Americans
(00:28):
are cutting back and expressing pessimism about this economy. We'll
talk with one of the researchers about what they found
on that and where people in southern California plan to
spend that money this holiday season. But first, if you're
shopping at small businesses in LA this year, some of
them may be better equipped soon to fight off crime.
(00:49):
City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez joins us to talk about a
newly expanded grant program. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, thanks so much
for being with us.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Again, thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
You passed out some micro enterprise grants is what you
call them, to help folks owning small businesses with security concerns.
What is this program?
Speaker 3 (01:09):
So I recognize how many businesses we're still struggling from COVID,
and we have seen this local economy not recover. We've
seen the impacts from burglaries and thefts, and it really
does harm the smallest businesses in our city. Some of
the incredible entrepreneurs that help create the diverse business climate
(01:34):
here in Los Angeles, and they are the job creators
and they employ over two million people in the LA region,
generating tens of billions of dollars in economic impact. So
I wanted to create a program that was helping to
meet their needs. And so these are resources that we
are making available through a fifteen thousand dollars grant through
Economic Workforce Development Department. The grant applications are available through
(01:58):
December eighth, where they can apply, and this is targeting
businesses that have five employees or less. So we want
to get help to the very people that are struggling
through these not only challenging economic times, but have also
potentially been impacted. These types of security upgrades are not
(02:18):
something that generally a lot of businesses can afford, and
I just believe that prevention is far more cost effective.
So I want City Hall to show up for these guys,
and that's why we created this program.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
I think I remember when you brought this up the
first time at City Hall and it struck me that
there must be small businesses out there that are dealing
with crime but can't address it proactively. As you just noted,
what did you hear from businesses saying, look, we recognize
that there are problems here. We want to stay in business,
but we need help.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
Yeah, yesterday we were at a business on Ventura Boulevard
and these women consolidated their operations into one business store
front just to stay afloat post COVID. But they had
had a to burglaries multiple times and they were looking
for you know, how do you finance some of those
upgrades and some of those installations without help. And so
(03:09):
this is going to go a long way, not just
to helping to protect their business, but more importantly help
aid LAPD with any information that could lead to the
arrest of some of these perpetrators. And that's what we need,
is we need to help people be part of the
solution and helping to garner greater public safety outcomes in
our neighborhoods, and so this is going to help with
(03:30):
that as well. And that's why I'm so delighted. They
were ecstatic that it finally felt like city Hall was listening.
And so that's exactly what we should be doing right now,
is showing up for everybody who needs help in the city.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Well, let's talk a bit about the business environment in
this city as it relates to crime concerns, because you
never want to open a business where you feel like
you have to have security. I think everybody knows that
it's probably a good insurance to have security cameras, but
I know that there are parts of the city that
has been super challenging to continue operations, not necessarily because
(04:06):
you've even been broken into, but because maybe you've been vandalized,
or there's been spray paint, or are there people sleeping outside.
Beyond this specific program, do you see the city moving
forward on any initiatives to help in that regard?
Speaker 3 (04:21):
Well, I think again, you know, we can go back
to even some of the biggest problems that we're facing
right now as a city, and that is the theft
of copper wire and the ability to keep our streets lit.
I think that's a very big problem. That's also contributing
and exacerbating some of the challenges we're seeing in public
safety and so, you know, and the currentliness of the city.
(04:42):
You know, I always say a clean city is a
safe city, and so helping to foster a stronger local
economic environment for businesses to be successful really relies not
just on their installation of security measures, but it relies
on us as a city showing up for these communities
and making sure that the lights are on and that
it's in the streets are clean. And so in my district,
(05:05):
those are efforts that we've deployed, including the you know,
in the city, I'm leading the effort on the most
solar light installations in my community. I'm talking to the
Department of Water and Power about how we can augment
some of those efforts, given that street lighting is just
overwhelmed with requests on street lighting repairs from all the
(05:26):
copper wire theft. I mean, you've seen it on the
sixth Street Bridge, for example, in the fourteenth district, where
there hasn't been reinstallation or relighting of those of that infrastructure,
and so that's happening citywide. So we really have to
get aggressive on repairing that and taking care of those
concerns immediately, because that contributes to how people feel about
(05:51):
public safety.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
We're talking with La City Councilman Monica Rodriguez. What you
just said is absolutely accurate. You know, with the time
change and the darkness coming earlier the commute home, even
at five point thirty, you can really get a sense
of how dark it is in Los Angeles and whether
it is safe or not. It just feels unsafe. In
(06:14):
the context of this conversation we're having about businesses and
their security, what is your message to folks who are
looking at Los Angeles as a possibility to start a
small business but have these concerns about where the city
is now and where it might be headed.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Well, I will say that in my district, I'm inviting
more small businesses to come and operate, and we're working
very closely with a lot of these businesses and this
program was designed specifically with their needs in mind. And
as I said, I'm working directly with the Department of
Water and Power to figure out how we might also
augment that to continue to expand support and resources for them.
(06:53):
This is the time when the city needs to show
up for everyone, including small businesses, and I will say that,
you know, historically it feels that city Hall hasn't always
been showing up for the business community, and I will
continue to be a very strong voice to ensure that
because they are the job creators in our neighborhoods. They
are the ones that are helping to keep our city
(07:15):
services funded because of their tax base and what they create.
So they are an equally important part of how we
do business and provide services to residents in the city.
And so I will continue to be a strong advocate,
and I know I do have colleagues that are equally
committed to that, and so we're just going to continue
to find a pathway forward, and we want everybody to
(07:36):
be in partnership with us so that we can help
close any gaps that we might have and make sure
that City Hall shows up for them as well.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
It's not just small businesses being better protected. La City
Hall has extended deeper protections for renters and landlords. They're
not happy about it. We'll continue with council Woman Rodriguez
and talk about the new Rental Control Ordinance later. The
results of that survey on holiday shopping habits in southern California.
And then in our next hour, the local man who
says he is trying to hold the city and county
(08:05):
accountable when it comes to the dogs living on skid row.
This is Michael Monks Reports.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
You're listening to KFI Am six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI
News with you till nine o'clock tonight. Our guest is
La City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, council Woman. Thanks for spending
some time with KFI. Always a pleasure.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Oh, he's happy to be here.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
There have been some recent votes at city Hall related
to housing development and rental policy. Most recently there was
a new cap placed on the rent stabilized units, and
I have to say there was a robust debate on
the floor. You seem to be a bit uncomfortable with
(08:53):
what was originally proposed, this three percent cap, a cap
that might have accounted for zero percentotential rent increases as
it relates to inflation if I'm understanding the math correctly.
And you heard an earfull from developers and landlords about
the potential consequences of this. There were some amendments made
(09:14):
that was not what went through, but there was a
tougher cap place. Do you think this is going to
hurt residential development in the city.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Absolutely, and I said as much at the time of
the conversation. It also, you know, what needs to be
stated is that my colleagues voted to increase the assessments
for sewer fees and trash fees. And now, how are
these landlords, you know, the cost of operating these housing
(09:45):
you know, what they provide in terms of housing has
continued to go up, from maintenance and repairs, to the
cost of utilities, to the cost of insurance, to the
you know, costs that now my colleagues have actually voted
to increase. And so how are they going to recover
and continue to sustain an environment with those properties that
(10:10):
they're not going to then be potentially down the road
accused by the city for not maintaining properly. But it's
because they're not able to recover the costs of what
it is to operate and offer these housing units. That
is a real problem. And so the Housing Department previously,
in a report that they gave us last year to
(10:31):
miss Robins Committee when I was on the committee, said
very clearly that one of the reasons why new housing
is not being built is because of the environment that
seems to be continually moving for their cost recovery, not
just for the construction costs, but for the long term
(10:51):
operations of these buildings, and so when you continue so
just to say it very simply, if someone builds something
in the city of Los Angeles and they have an
anticipated turn on a return on their investment, but that
continues to shrink because the city keeps changing the rules
(11:12):
on them, well then they're less intent. They're less interested
in investing in building that unit in the city because
they aren't able to guarantee a return on their investment.
It is frankly far safer to take a shot in
the stock market or get a ten percent return on
an index fund than to invest in building a housing
(11:32):
stock that potentially will have cost over rents because it's
too expensive and difficult to build in the city. But
then once you build it, you're not able to recover
the return on what it costs to maintain that unit
for a tenant. And that's what's creating the disincentive for
people to build in Los Angeles.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
I'll note that we are talking specifically about rent stabilized units,
a very specific type of rental product. We're talking with
City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. We should note that ultimately, after
a robust debate on the floor at City Hall, that
the rent stabilization rent increase cap was raised to four
percent with a floor of one percent tied to inflation,
(12:17):
as opposed to the original proposal of a three percent
cap with a zero percent floor, meaning that there could
be no potential rent increase, which would obviously be a burden.
Speaker 4 (12:26):
For folks who own those properties.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
But councilmen, there's no doubt that rent in Los Angeles
is outrageously expensive. We pay a lot to live here
because it's often beautiful to live here.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
We get that as well. But there does appear to
be a supply issue.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
And I'm wondering about this Senate Bill seventy nine that
the city took a formal resolution position of opposition to
which allows for I guess, a faster route to construction
of apartments even taller towers near high U transit stations.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
I think you spoke against this. Do you think that
it's appropriate for the city to take these types of
positions against creating more density when we do have these
high rents based on a lack of supply.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Well, the city has actually already adopted ordinances that address
that and maximizing the density build out along these transit corridors,
and we've done so through extensive community outreach. What SB
seventy nine did was a one size fits all and
it even included language that said for proposed rail lines
(13:39):
and transit that hasn't even been fulfilled yet, and that,
for example, is a very big problem in my district
because of Metro is building out light rail that has
been promised for decades, which by the way, they're still
behind on. They're not even fulfilling the full delivery of
that line. It's only going to stop the terminus going
(14:00):
to be at San Fernando Road and Vani's Boulevard. It
was supposed to extend all the way to Silmar, but
now that's not going to happen. But as a result
of it being proposed, technically that's still eligible for the
high density, So we would be potentially building out or
be eligible to have individuals identify properties along those corridors
where we don't actually have transit being realized, and that
(14:25):
is a big problem because then what do we do.
What are we offering people. It's a false promise of
accessibility for this city to function, and that's a big
problem because they're not going to be building the types
of parking that would be available because they're assuming Transit
will provide that transportation resource and that isn't being built out,
(14:45):
So there are it was. You know, my frustration with
what happens with Landy's decisions that are coming out of
Sacramento is that it strips away our ability to have
very local and important conversations in our own areas, our
own communities that are going to be impacted by it.
And that is a really big problem because at the
(15:06):
end of the day, people aren't looking to their state
senator or the governor about issues that they have with
planning and land use. They're coming through their city council.
And so it's been incredibly frustrating to continue to see
this overreach that occurs out of Sacramento, and then our
residents are you know, I'm looking at them like I
(15:27):
don't know what to tell you. It's coming from the
state and my hands are now tied, especially when I
have very unique circumstances for how my community is impacted
by these developments. I have one of the largest high
fire hazard severity zone areas because I have butt the
foothills and the Angelus Forest. I have, you know, so
(15:52):
little transportation infrastructure that has been built out for Metro
that other communities have been prioritized for, largely because of
the Olympics. Meanwhile, this working class community doesn't have access.
We need both the housing and the transportation, but everyone
low loss it. So while they might create these incentives,
what they're actually doing is creating a big disadvantage for
(16:14):
working class communities. And that to me is the biggest
problem because it's we have already, through the Chip Ordinance
and through extensive community engagement, built out a plan to
fulfill the needed housing units that will help bring cost
the cost of housing down. And yet now the Senate
has jumped a gun and the state has jumped the
(16:36):
gun and stripping our ability to help address those in
the nuanced way that that is important for neighborhoods across
the city.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
We will pick up this conversation next and give you
a sneak peek of the new postage stamps coming in
the new year.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
You're listening to KFI Am six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
This is Michael Monks for short. I'm Michael Monks from
KFI News with you till nine o'clock tonight. Before we
went to break, LA City council Woman Monica Rodriguez was
expressing her concern about Senate Bill seventy nine. This is
a new state law allowing for more apartment housing to
be built near busy transit stations. She says, it takes
away a lot of local control. Council Woman Rodriguez is
(17:19):
still with us. You raised that point on the floor
at City Hall, and we made note of it and
broadcast that here that this could apply, This Senate Bill
seventy nine could apply in your district in areas where
transit is only proposed and may never be fulfilled. I
thought that was a really interesting point and really another
concerning point about the way we build things in general
(17:41):
in Los Angeles, in Los Angeles County because and this
may just be an open ended question that doesn't necessarily
apply to your role as a counciloman vote as someone
who lives here. The train situation that you talked about,
the mass transit in your district not going exactly where
it was originally announced. The delays that a lot of
these projects space, whether it's the D Line extension through
(18:02):
Koreatown or mid City that has been delayed, the people
Mover at lax A bike path along the La River,
and just the shortage of housing that we apparently have here.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
Why oh why.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Is it so difficult to build anything here?
Speaker 3 (18:19):
You know, we have certainly no shortage of challenges that
confront us. And we're talking about multiple agencies from Metro
that you were addressing, to some of the bottlenecks with
the county controls, the right of way along the La
River that you were addressing. You're talking about multiple agencies,
none of which are completely within the control of the
(18:39):
City of Los Angeles, but for you know, the Metro project,
or you know, for the people Mover project for example. Yes,
the extensive cost over runs associated with that, I think
that's a problem in every agency, not just the City
of Los Angeles. But it's why I've been a hawk
on the spending of the contracts, really digging in on
(19:06):
what these challenges have been or what you know they
every everybody always comes back with, oh, well, it's going
to cost more money. Well, it shouldn't cost more money.
People the right minds need to be coming to the table,
and so for my districts, for example, we're finding alternatives
to help ensure that they continue to stay on track
(19:27):
for you know, not seeing any further delays, for example,
in the implementation of light rail. But you know, we
just we have to take a very strong leadership approach
in each of our respective areas to work with all
these other agencies to hold them accountable. And sadly, it's
not all within the city's control. There are multi jurisdictional
(19:49):
issues that affect us. But that's what makes us, that's
what puts us in the position to use the authority
that we do have to hold them all accountable. You
might recall that, you know, while Metro, for example, isn't
within the direct authority of the City of Los Angeles,
We've got the mayor, I've got a couple of colleagues
that have been appointed to serve on the Metro board.
(20:09):
But it didn't stop me when I saw the assaults
that were happening on Metro from calling them in as
I was when I was Public Safety chair, to hold
them accountable and demand the approaches that would shift and
help garner greater outcomes with public safety, namely the tap
in tap out. So those are things that have helped
(20:30):
to curtail the public safety issues that people were experiencing
on Metro. So just as one example, while I might
not have direct authority, we have the power and the
ability to hold these other agencies accountable. And for me,
that's one example of what I used with my role
as an LA City Council member to demand accountability and
elicit change.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
You certainly did that with homeless services as well. And
let me just finish this up and let you get
on with your day with a I guess Christmas ornament
sized softball?
Speaker 4 (21:00):
Well in your area? What should we be looking for
this holiday season? Where? What should we come check out?
Speaker 3 (21:07):
Oh? Thanks, I you know, this is like one of
the you know, the most wonderful time of the year.
We have several free tree lighting ceremonies that we're doing
in each of the communities. On December fourth, we're going
to be at Priquerna City Hall for our annual tree
lighting with free Santa photos and some performances from local
(21:29):
community organizations. We also on December fifth, we'll have one
in Sunlandahuga at five pm. One at Silmar Park at
six pm, where we will have actually trees that we've
planted that continue to grow every year, and we will
do our tree lighting ceremonies there. And then on December thirteenth,
(21:50):
the annual Pacoima Christmas Parade, which I used to march
in as a little girl in elementary school. So I'm
looking forward today's events and bringing all our families together.
Just think about create happy memories in spite of some
of the challenges that we're all going through.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
Counsel Woman Monica Rodriguez, thanks so much for taking time
for us here at KFI, and happy holidays to you
and yours.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
Thank you so much. Have a good one.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
The fifteenth Annuel KFI Pastathon is here. It's coming up
next week. Chef Bruno's charity, Katerina's Club, provides more than
twenty five thousand meals every week to kids in need
in southern California, and your generosity makes it all happen.
We've got a live broadcast coming up on Giving Tuesday.
That's next Tuesday, December second, from five in the morning
till eight o'clock at night at the Anaheim White House.
(22:35):
You can find that at eight eighty seven South Anaheim
Boulevard in Anaheim. But there are other ways you can
help if you can't make it out to Anaheim on Tuesday.
You can donate anytime at KFIAM six forty dot com
slash Pastathon, and that's also where you can find pasta
and sauce drop off locations. You can go to any
Smart and Final you can donate any amount at the
(22:57):
checkout that includes our locations in Arizona and Nevada. You
can go to any Wendy's restaurant in southern California. If
you donate five dollars or more to Katerina's Club at
a Wendy's restaurant, you get a coupon book. You can
also go to Yamavav Resort and Casino. When you cast
your winning ticket at the kiosk and it'll ask you
if you want to donate your change, Just say yes
(23:17):
and then pick Katerina's Club from the options that pop up.
And then starting on Monday, you can bid on exclusive
auction items at KFI AM six forty dot com slash Auction.
Again the fifteenth annual KFI Pastathon. Catch that broadcast live
all day on Giving Tuesday. That's this Tuesday, December second.
(23:38):
If you're sending out your Christmas cards, you may be
buying stamps for the first time in a long time.
It's just not that common for us anymore. But the
Post Office sent us a news release about their upcoming
special releases. And if you find yourself shopping for postage stamps,
there are some of particular interest to Southern California. One
of them is Muhammad Ali, who lived here in Southern California.
(24:01):
It looks like his stamps will be released in January
in Louisville, his hometown mine too. Incidentally, the greatest Muhammad
Ali catch. His stamps coming out in January. You'll also
probably be interested in these low Riders, these cars. You
probably know what low riders are. They are very well
known for nineteen forties eero working class Mexican American Chicano
(24:25):
communities in the American Southwest, including right here in La
So there's a bunch of those low rider stamps that
are coming out in twenty twenty six. There's some beach
imagery it looks like beaches from New England though, that
are going to be featured. The figures of the American Revolution.
Only bring this up because that Ken Burns documentary on
PBS is really great if you haven't seen that. But
(24:45):
there's a bunch of American Revolution figures coming out on
postage stamps.
Speaker 4 (24:50):
And then there's Route sixty six.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
They'll have a bunch of stamps celebrating the one hundredth
anniversary of Route sixty six, that legendary highway that stretch
twenty four hundred miles from Chicago to right here in LA.
It was called the Mother Road by author John Steinbeck.
And there will be sixteen stamps featuring Route sixty six
and twenty twenty six and up next, what a new
(25:15):
survey says about holiday shopping in southern California and why
shoppers here expect to spend more than the national average.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
You're listening to KFI Am six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI
News with you till nine o'clock tonight. It's the Saturday
after Thanksgiving and after Black Friday. So if you're listening
to my voice in a car, you may be on
your way back from a grueling trip to the mall
or some other place to spend your dollars for the holidays,
and you are not alone, of course, as you can
probably tell by the crowds and the traffic and the noise.
(25:54):
But how much do you plan to spend this season?
New research from Deloitte has found we in so o
Cal expect to spend more than the national average, and
the firm's Summer tailor is with us now to explain
summer Taylor, thank you so much for being with us today.
Speaker 5 (26:08):
Happy to be here, Michael, thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
Of course, I know that Deloitte took a look at
the entire country and what we can expect from the
shopping season, how people plan to spend their money, where
people plan to spend their money, and how much money
they plan to spend. But you also look specifically at
Los Angeles. How does LA compare to the rest of
the country according to this.
Speaker 5 (26:29):
Survey, Well, traditionally we've seen LA and the West in
general outpaced spending for total holiday spend as compared to
the nation. What we're seeing this year is a moderation
in the total amount of dollars that LA shoppers expect
to spend in the current year. However, it's still above
(26:51):
the national average, and so while we are seeing some moderation,
I do expect that it will be a happy holiday
season here in LA.
Speaker 2 (26:59):
Looks some of the reasons why shoppers might be pulling
back a little bit this year. What did you find, Well.
Speaker 5 (27:05):
If you look at it by wage earners, there's a
lot of concern about the economy overall and any potential recession.
So when you look at the lower wage earners, they're
really compacted by higher cost of living, cost of housing
and food, and so they're having to make deliberate choices
about how they're spending their money. If you look at
(27:27):
the higher age earners, they have some overall concerns about
the economy in general and a potential recession, so they're
being really cautious about how they spend their money.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
The national average, according to this survey is about sixteen
hundred dollars. One thousand, five hundred and ninety five dollars
is the expected holidays spend this year across the nation.
Speaker 4 (27:52):
Here in LA it's a little bit more than that.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
One six hundred and twenty seven dollars expected, though that
is down from the previous year. So let's talk about
how folks told Deloitte they're planning to spend their money.
What types of gifts stood out in the survey.
Speaker 5 (28:08):
Well, when shoppers are going out to the malls and
to online retailers this season, their shopping lists are going
to include both gift and non gift items. When we're
looking at non gift items in particular, this is a
great time to stock up on some of the essentials
for yourself, and so you can expect lots of clothing sales.
(28:31):
There are electronics that will be on the gift and
non gift list this year, although that is trending down slightly,
not as many new electronics needed. And then toys we
expect to maintain pretty flat compared to previous years, and
gift cards continue to be one of the easiest ways
(28:52):
that gifters can provide some holiday cheer to their friends
and family, so that tends to be top of the
list across the board when it comes to the gifting purchases.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Gift cards are an easy out for president. I noticed
in this survey that you found forty nine percent of
shoppers plan to give what you all classify as experiential gifts.
I guess something that will offer an experience that someone
can take up on their own time.
Speaker 5 (29:22):
Yeah, that's right, and that's actually a trend that we've
seen continuing since the post COVID period. People really recognize
the importance of spending time with friends and family, and
so those experiences, those experiential gifts are a great way
to get the holidays rolling, get time together with friends
(29:43):
and family and really recognize the importance of this time
of year, and so that trend has continued. I will say, though,
this is an area where LA shoppers are pulling back
a bit again because they're having to make choices based
on their overall cost of living economic concerns that they
have about the economy.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
Well, despite those economic concerns, I do note that your
survey found four and ten of Los Angeles responders to
this survey expect to give themselves a gift this season.
And that's something I have to confess I like to
do as well. It's hard to resist when you're out
there and you see those deals that retailers are offering.
What are folks looking to gift themselves this holiday season?
Speaker 5 (30:23):
Yeah, that is true. That is a great time to
stock up on items for yourselves because of all of
the discounting that is available to shoppers. Clothing is a
popular one, Electronics is another popular one, and then also
again those experiences spending time with friends and family at
either restaurants or entertaining in their home, maybe doing some
(30:46):
scrucing us of their house for the holidays.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
Our guest is Summer Tailor with Deloitte. The firm recently
released the results of a holiday shopping survey looking at
the country and also Los Angeles specifically. It does indicate
that folks in La plan to spend a little bit
more than the national average, about sixteen hundred and twenty
seven dollars on holidays spending this holiday season. That could
(31:10):
be a lot of money when times feel uncertain as
they do right now. So I know that you asked
folks whether they were scaling back or planning to stretch
their dollars as best they can. What did survey respondents.
Speaker 4 (31:22):
Tell you about that?
Speaker 5 (31:24):
Well, they definitely told us that they are expecting to
spend less. We're seeing about a nineteen percent decline year
over year in Los Angeles. When you look specifically at
where they're pulling back their purchases, it's in the non
gift categories. That's down roughly one quarter of the budget
from last year. And then health and Wellness is another
(31:46):
one that stood out to me when I looked at
the LA data. These are just about making choices of
the total amount of budget that you have available to spend,
and with higher cost of living and economic concerns, we'll
have to make cautious choices about where we're spending our money.
But those are the ones that came down with it
year every year.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
Summer Taylor is an audit and Assurance Managing director at Deloitte.
We do appreciate your time, Summer and explaining the survey
of what to expect for shoppers and shopping in Los Angeles'
holiday season. Thanks so much, and happy shopping out.
Speaker 5 (32:20):
There, Thank you, Thanks to you, Happy holidays.
Speaker 4 (32:23):
We have another hour ahead.
Speaker 2 (32:24):
We'll talk with a local man who's trying to save
the lives of dogs living among the homeless on skid row.
They're often abused and starved, and he says the local
governments are not doing enough to help. Michael Monks reports
continues
Speaker 1 (32:38):
KFI AM six forty on demand
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
This is Michael Monks Reports. I'm Michael Monks from KFI News.
Will be together till nine o'clock tonight. I hope you
had a great Thanksgiving and that you're staying sane if
you're out there in the mad rush of holiday shopping.
There is a new survey out that shows people in
and around Los Angeles expect to spend more this holiday
season than the national average, not by much, though Americans
(00:28):
are cutting back and expressing pessimism about this economy. We'll
talk with one of the researchers about what they found
on that and where people in southern California plan to
spend that money this holiday season. But first, if you're
shopping at small businesses in LA this year, some of
them may be better equipped soon to fight off crime.
(00:49):
City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez joins us to talk about a
newly expanded grant program. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, thanks so much
for being with us.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Again, thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
You passed out some micro enterprise grants is what you
call them, to help folks owning small businesses with security concerns.
What is this program?
Speaker 3 (01:09):
So I recognize how many businesses we're still struggling from COVID,
and we have seen this local economy not recover. We've
seen the impacts from burglaries and thefts, and it really
does harm the smallest businesses in our city. Some of
the incredible entrepreneurs that help create the diverse business climate
(01:34):
here in Los Angeles, and they are the job creators
and they employ over two million people in the LA region,
generating tens of billions of dollars in economic impact. So
I wanted to create a program that was helping to
meet their needs. And so these are resources that we
are making available through a fifteen thousand dollars grant through
Economic Workforce Development Department. The grant applications are available through
(01:58):
December eighth, where they can apply, and this is targeting
businesses that have five employees or less. So we want
to get help to the very people that are struggling
through these not only challenging economic times, but have also
potentially been impacted. These types of security upgrades are not
(02:18):
something that generally a lot of businesses can afford, and
I just believe that prevention is far more cost effective.
So I want City Hall to show up for these guys,
and that's why we created this program.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
I think I remember when you brought this up the
first time at City Hall and it struck me that
there must be small businesses out there that are dealing
with crime but can't address it proactively. As you just noted,
what did you hear from businesses saying, look, we recognize
that there are problems here. We want to stay in business,
but we need help.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
Yeah, yesterday we were at a business on Ventura Boulevard
and these women consolidated their operations into one business store
front just to stay afloat post COVID. But they had
had a to burglaries multiple times and they were looking
for you know, how do you finance some of those
upgrades and some of those installations without help. And so
(03:09):
this is going to go a long way, not just
to helping to protect their business, but more importantly help
aid LAPD with any information that could lead to the
arrest of some of these perpetrators. And that's what we need,
is we need to help people be part of the
solution and helping to garner greater public safety outcomes in
our neighborhoods, and so this is going to help with
(03:30):
that as well. And that's why I'm so delighted. They
were ecstatic that it finally felt like city Hall was listening.
And so that's exactly what we should be doing right now,
is showing up for everybody who needs help in the city.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Well, let's talk a bit about the business environment in
this city as it relates to crime concerns, because you
never want to open a business where you feel like
you have to have security. I think everybody knows that
it's probably a good insurance to have security cameras, but
I know that there are parts of the city that
has been super challenging to continue operations, not necessarily because
(04:06):
you've even been broken into, but because maybe you've been vandalized,
or there's been spray paint, or are there people sleeping outside.
Beyond this specific program, do you see the city moving
forward on any initiatives to help in that regard?
Speaker 3 (04:21):
Well, I think again, you know, we can go back
to even some of the biggest problems that we're facing
right now as a city, and that is the theft
of copper wire and the ability to keep our streets lit.
I think that's a very big problem. That's also contributing
and exacerbating some of the challenges we're seeing in public
safety and so, you know, and the currentliness of the city.
(04:42):
You know, I always say a clean city is a
safe city, and so helping to foster a stronger local
economic environment for businesses to be successful really relies not
just on their installation of security measures, but it relies
on us as a city showing up for these communities
and making sure that the lights are on and that
it's in the streets are clean. And so in my district,
(05:05):
those are efforts that we've deployed, including the you know,
in the city, I'm leading the effort on the most
solar light installations in my community. I'm talking to the
Department of Water and Power about how we can augment
some of those efforts, given that street lighting is just
overwhelmed with requests on street lighting repairs from all the
(05:26):
copper wire theft. I mean, you've seen it on the
sixth Street Bridge, for example, in the fourteenth district, where
there hasn't been reinstallation or relighting of those of that infrastructure,
and so that's happening citywide. So we really have to
get aggressive on repairing that and taking care of those
concerns immediately, because that contributes to how people feel about
(05:51):
public safety.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
We're talking with La City Councilman Monica Rodriguez. What you
just said is absolutely accurate. You know, with the time
change and the darkness coming earlier the commute home, even
at five point thirty, you can really get a sense
of how dark it is in Los Angeles and whether
it is safe or not. It just feels unsafe. In
(06:14):
the context of this conversation we're having about businesses and
their security, what is your message to folks who are
looking at Los Angeles as a possibility to start a
small business but have these concerns about where the city
is now and where it might be headed.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Well, I will say that in my district, I'm inviting
more small businesses to come and operate, and we're working
very closely with a lot of these businesses and this
program was designed specifically with their needs in mind. And
as I said, I'm working directly with the Department of
Water and Power to figure out how we might also
augment that to continue to expand support and resources for them.
(06:53):
This is the time when the city needs to show
up for everyone, including small businesses, and I will say that,
you know, historically it feels that city Hall hasn't always
been showing up for the business community, and I will
continue to be a very strong voice to ensure that
because they are the job creators in our neighborhoods. They
are the ones that are helping to keep our city
(07:15):
services funded because of their tax base and what they create.
So they are an equally important part of how we
do business and provide services to residents in the city.
And so I will continue to be a strong advocate,
and I know I do have colleagues that are equally
committed to that, and so we're just going to continue
to find a pathway forward, and we want everybody to
(07:36):
be in partnership with us so that we can help
close any gaps that we might have and make sure
that City Hall shows up for them as well.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
It's not just small businesses being better protected. La City
Hall has extended deeper protections for renters and landlords. They're
not happy about it. We'll continue with council Woman Rodriguez
and talk about the new Rental Control Ordinance later. The
results of that survey on holiday shopping habits in southern California.
And then in our next hour, the local man who
says he is trying to hold the city and county
(08:05):
accountable when it comes to the dogs living on skid row.
This is Michael Monks Reports.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
You're listening to KFI Am six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI
News with you till nine o'clock tonight. Our guest is
La City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, council Woman. Thanks for spending
some time with KFI. Always a pleasure.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Oh, he's happy to be here.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
There have been some recent votes at city Hall related
to housing development and rental policy. Most recently there was
a new cap placed on the rent stabilized units, and
I have to say there was a robust debate on
the floor. You seem to be a bit uncomfortable with
(08:53):
what was originally proposed, this three percent cap, a cap
that might have accounted for zero percentotential rent increases as
it relates to inflation if I'm understanding the math correctly.
And you heard an earfull from developers and landlords about
the potential consequences of this. There were some amendments made
(09:14):
that was not what went through, but there was a
tougher cap place. Do you think this is going to
hurt residential development in the city.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Absolutely, and I said as much at the time of
the conversation. It also, you know, what needs to be
stated is that my colleagues voted to increase the assessments
for sewer fees and trash fees. And now, how are
these landlords, you know, the cost of operating these housing
(09:45):
you know, what they provide in terms of housing has
continued to go up, from maintenance and repairs, to the
cost of utilities, to the cost of insurance, to the
you know, costs that now my colleagues have actually voted
to increase. And so how are they going to recover
and continue to sustain an environment with those properties that
(10:10):
they're not going to then be potentially down the road
accused by the city for not maintaining properly. But it's
because they're not able to recover the costs of what
it is to operate and offer these housing units. That
is a real problem. And so the Housing Department previously,
in a report that they gave us last year to
(10:31):
miss Robins Committee when I was on the committee, said
very clearly that one of the reasons why new housing
is not being built is because of the environment that
seems to be continually moving for their cost recovery, not
just for the construction costs, but for the long term
(10:51):
operations of these buildings, and so when you continue so
just to say it very simply, if someone builds something
in the city of Los Angeles and they have an
anticipated turn on a return on their investment, but that
continues to shrink because the city keeps changing the rules
(11:12):
on them, well then they're less intent. They're less interested
in investing in building that unit in the city because
they aren't able to guarantee a return on their investment.
It is frankly far safer to take a shot in
the stock market or get a ten percent return on
an index fund than to invest in building a housing
(11:32):
stock that potentially will have cost over rents because it's
too expensive and difficult to build in the city. But
then once you build it, you're not able to recover
the return on what it costs to maintain that unit
for a tenant. And that's what's creating the disincentive for
people to build in Los Angeles.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
I'll note that we are talking specifically about rent stabilized units,
a very specific type of rental product. We're talking with
City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. We should note that ultimately, after
a robust debate on the floor at City Hall, that
the rent stabilization rent increase cap was raised to four
percent with a floor of one percent tied to inflation,
(12:17):
as opposed to the original proposal of a three percent
cap with a zero percent floor, meaning that there could
be no potential rent increase, which would obviously be a burden.
Speaker 4 (12:26):
For folks who own those properties.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
But councilmen, there's no doubt that rent in Los Angeles
is outrageously expensive. We pay a lot to live here
because it's often beautiful to live here.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
We get that as well. But there does appear to
be a supply issue.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
And I'm wondering about this Senate Bill seventy nine that
the city took a formal resolution position of opposition to
which allows for I guess, a faster route to construction
of apartments even taller towers near high U transit stations.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
I think you spoke against this. Do you think that
it's appropriate for the city to take these types of
positions against creating more density when we do have these
high rents based on a lack of supply.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Well, the city has actually already adopted ordinances that address
that and maximizing the density build out along these transit corridors,
and we've done so through extensive community outreach. What SB
seventy nine did was a one size fits all and
it even included language that said for proposed rail lines
(13:39):
and transit that hasn't even been fulfilled yet, and that,
for example, is a very big problem in my district
because of Metro is building out light rail that has
been promised for decades, which by the way, they're still
behind on. They're not even fulfilling the full delivery of
that line. It's only going to stop the terminus going
(14:00):
to be at San Fernando Road and Vani's Boulevard. It
was supposed to extend all the way to Silmar, but
now that's not going to happen. But as a result
of it being proposed, technically that's still eligible for the
high density, So we would be potentially building out or
be eligible to have individuals identify properties along those corridors
where we don't actually have transit being realized, and that
(14:25):
is a big problem because then what do we do.
What are we offering people. It's a false promise of
accessibility for this city to function, and that's a big
problem because they're not going to be building the types
of parking that would be available because they're assuming Transit
will provide that transportation resource and that isn't being built out,
(14:45):
So there are it was. You know, my frustration with
what happens with Landy's decisions that are coming out of
Sacramento is that it strips away our ability to have
very local and important conversations in our own areas, our
own communities that are going to be impacted by it.
And that is a really big problem because at the
(15:06):
end of the day, people aren't looking to their state
senator or the governor about issues that they have with
planning and land use. They're coming through their city council.
And so it's been incredibly frustrating to continue to see
this overreach that occurs out of Sacramento, and then our
residents are you know, I'm looking at them like I
(15:27):
don't know what to tell you. It's coming from the
state and my hands are now tied, especially when I
have very unique circumstances for how my community is impacted
by these developments. I have one of the largest high
fire hazard severity zone areas because I have butt the
foothills and the Angelus Forest. I have, you know, so
(15:52):
little transportation infrastructure that has been built out for Metro
that other communities have been prioritized for, largely because of
the Olympics. Meanwhile, this working class community doesn't have access.
We need both the housing and the transportation, but everyone
low loss it. So while they might create these incentives,
what they're actually doing is creating a big disadvantage for
(16:14):
working class communities. And that to me is the biggest
problem because it's we have already, through the Chip Ordinance
and through extensive community engagement, built out a plan to
fulfill the needed housing units that will help bring cost
the cost of housing down. And yet now the Senate
has jumped a gun and the state has jumped the
(16:36):
gun and stripping our ability to help address those in
the nuanced way that that is important for neighborhoods across
the city.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
We will pick up this conversation next and give you
a sneak peek of the new postage stamps coming in
the new year.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
You're listening to KFI Am six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
This is Michael Monks for short. I'm Michael Monks from
KFI News with you till nine o'clock tonight. Before we
went to break, LA City council Woman Monica Rodriguez was
expressing her concern about Senate Bill seventy nine. This is
a new state law allowing for more apartment housing to
be built near busy transit stations. She says, it takes
away a lot of local control. Council Woman Rodriguez is
(17:19):
still with us. You raised that point on the floor
at City Hall, and we made note of it and
broadcast that here that this could apply, This Senate Bill
seventy nine could apply in your district in areas where
transit is only proposed and may never be fulfilled. I
thought that was a really interesting point and really another
concerning point about the way we build things in general
(17:41):
in Los Angeles, in Los Angeles County because and this
may just be an open ended question that doesn't necessarily
apply to your role as a counciloman vote as someone
who lives here. The train situation that you talked about,
the mass transit in your district not going exactly where
it was originally announced. The delays that a lot of
these projects space, whether it's the D Line extension through
(18:02):
Koreatown or mid City that has been delayed, the people
Mover at lax A bike path along the La River,
and just the shortage of housing that we apparently have here.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
Why oh why.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Is it so difficult to build anything here?
Speaker 3 (18:19):
You know, we have certainly no shortage of challenges that
confront us. And we're talking about multiple agencies from Metro
that you were addressing, to some of the bottlenecks with
the county controls, the right of way along the La
River that you were addressing. You're talking about multiple agencies,
none of which are completely within the control of the
(18:39):
City of Los Angeles, but for you know, the Metro project,
or you know, for the people Mover project for example. Yes,
the extensive cost over runs associated with that, I think
that's a problem in every agency, not just the City
of Los Angeles. But it's why I've been a hawk
on the spending of the contracts, really digging in on
(19:06):
what these challenges have been or what you know they
every everybody always comes back with, oh, well, it's going
to cost more money. Well, it shouldn't cost more money.
People the right minds need to be coming to the table,
and so for my districts, for example, we're finding alternatives
to help ensure that they continue to stay on track
(19:27):
for you know, not seeing any further delays, for example,
in the implementation of light rail. But you know, we
just we have to take a very strong leadership approach
in each of our respective areas to work with all
these other agencies to hold them accountable. And sadly, it's
not all within the city's control. There are multi jurisdictional
(19:49):
issues that affect us. But that's what makes us, that's
what puts us in the position to use the authority
that we do have to hold them all accountable. You
might recall that, you know, while Metro, for example, isn't
within the direct authority of the City of Los Angeles,
We've got the mayor, I've got a couple of colleagues
that have been appointed to serve on the Metro board.
(20:09):
But it didn't stop me when I saw the assaults
that were happening on Metro from calling them in as
I was when I was Public Safety chair, to hold
them accountable and demand the approaches that would shift and
help garner greater outcomes with public safety, namely the tap
in tap out. So those are things that have helped
(20:30):
to curtail the public safety issues that people were experiencing
on Metro. So just as one example, while I might
not have direct authority, we have the power and the
ability to hold these other agencies accountable. And for me,
that's one example of what I used with my role
as an LA City Council member to demand accountability and
elicit change.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
You certainly did that with homeless services as well. And
let me just finish this up and let you get
on with your day with a I guess Christmas ornament
sized softball?
Speaker 4 (21:00):
Well in your area? What should we be looking for
this holiday season? Where? What should we come check out?
Speaker 3 (21:07):
Oh? Thanks, I you know, this is like one of
the you know, the most wonderful time of the year.
We have several free tree lighting ceremonies that we're doing
in each of the communities. On December fourth, we're going
to be at Priquerna City Hall for our annual tree
lighting with free Santa photos and some performances from local
(21:29):
community organizations. We also on December fifth, we'll have one
in Sunlandahuga at five pm. One at Silmar Park at
six pm, where we will have actually trees that we've
planted that continue to grow every year, and we will
do our tree lighting ceremonies there. And then on December thirteenth,
(21:50):
the annual Pacoima Christmas Parade, which I used to march
in as a little girl in elementary school. So I'm
looking forward today's events and bringing all our families together.
Just think about create happy memories in spite of some
of the challenges that we're all going through.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
Counsel Woman Monica Rodriguez, thanks so much for taking time
for us here at KFI, and happy holidays to you
and yours.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
Thank you so much. Have a good one.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
The fifteenth Annuel KFI Pastathon is here. It's coming up
next week. Chef Bruno's charity, Katerina's Club, provides more than
twenty five thousand meals every week to kids in need
in southern California, and your generosity makes it all happen.
We've got a live broadcast coming up on Giving Tuesday.
That's next Tuesday, December second, from five in the morning
till eight o'clock at night at the Anaheim White House.
(22:35):
You can find that at eight eighty seven South Anaheim
Boulevard in Anaheim. But there are other ways you can
help if you can't make it out to Anaheim on Tuesday.
You can donate anytime at KFIAM six forty dot com
slash Pastathon, and that's also where you can find pasta
and sauce drop off locations. You can go to any
Smart and Final you can donate any amount at the
(22:57):
checkout that includes our locations in Arizona and Nevada. You
can go to any Wendy's restaurant in southern California. If
you donate five dollars or more to Katerina's Club at
a Wendy's restaurant, you get a coupon book. You can
also go to Yamavav Resort and Casino. When you cast
your winning ticket at the kiosk and it'll ask you
if you want to donate your change, Just say yes
(23:17):
and then pick Katerina's Club from the options that pop up.
And then starting on Monday, you can bid on exclusive
auction items at KFI AM six forty dot com slash Auction.
Again the fifteenth annual KFI Pastathon. Catch that broadcast live
all day on Giving Tuesday. That's this Tuesday, December second.
(23:38):
If you're sending out your Christmas cards, you may be
buying stamps for the first time in a long time.
It's just not that common for us anymore. But the
Post Office sent us a news release about their upcoming
special releases. And if you find yourself shopping for postage stamps,
there are some of particular interest to Southern California. One
of them is Muhammad Ali, who lived here in Southern California.
(24:01):
It looks like his stamps will be released in January
in Louisville, his hometown mine too. Incidentally, the greatest Muhammad
Ali catch. His stamps coming out in January. You'll also
probably be interested in these low Riders, these cars. You
probably know what low riders are. They are very well
known for nineteen forties eero working class Mexican American Chicano
(24:25):
communities in the American Southwest, including right here in La
So there's a bunch of those low rider stamps that
are coming out in twenty twenty six. There's some beach
imagery it looks like beaches from New England though, that
are going to be featured. The figures of the American Revolution.
Only bring this up because that Ken Burns documentary on
PBS is really great if you haven't seen that. But
(24:45):
there's a bunch of American Revolution figures coming out on
postage stamps.
Speaker 4 (24:50):
And then there's Route sixty six.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
They'll have a bunch of stamps celebrating the one hundredth
anniversary of Route sixty six, that legendary highway that stretch
twenty four hundred miles from Chicago to right here in LA.
It was called the Mother Road by author John Steinbeck.
And there will be sixteen stamps featuring Route sixty six
and twenty twenty six and up next, what a new
(25:15):
survey says about holiday shopping in southern California and why
shoppers here expect to spend more than the national average.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
You're listening to KFI Am six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI
News with you till nine o'clock tonight. It's the Saturday
after Thanksgiving and after Black Friday. So if you're listening
to my voice in a car, you may be on
your way back from a grueling trip to the mall
or some other place to spend your dollars for the holidays,
and you are not alone, of course, as you can
probably tell by the crowds and the traffic and the noise.
(25:54):
But how much do you plan to spend this season?
New research from Deloitte has found we in so o
Cal expect to spend more than the national average, and
the firm's Summer tailor is with us now to explain
summer Taylor, thank you so much for being with us today.
Speaker 5 (26:08):
Happy to be here, Michael, thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
Of course, I know that Deloitte took a look at
the entire country and what we can expect from the
shopping season, how people plan to spend their money, where
people plan to spend their money, and how much money
they plan to spend. But you also look specifically at
Los Angeles. How does LA compare to the rest of
the country according to this.
Speaker 5 (26:29):
Survey, Well, traditionally we've seen LA and the West in
general outpaced spending for total holiday spend as compared to
the nation. What we're seeing this year is a moderation
in the total amount of dollars that LA shoppers expect
to spend in the current year. However, it's still above
(26:51):
the national average, and so while we are seeing some moderation,
I do expect that it will be a happy holiday
season here in LA.
Speaker 2 (26:59):
Looks some of the reasons why shoppers might be pulling
back a little bit this year. What did you find, Well.
Speaker 5 (27:05):
If you look at it by wage earners, there's a
lot of concern about the economy overall and any potential recession.
So when you look at the lower wage earners, they're
really compacted by higher cost of living, cost of housing
and food, and so they're having to make deliberate choices
about how they're spending their money. If you look at
(27:27):
the higher age earners, they have some overall concerns about
the economy in general and a potential recession, so they're
being really cautious about how they spend their money.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
The national average, according to this survey is about sixteen
hundred dollars. One thousand, five hundred and ninety five dollars
is the expected holidays spend this year across the nation.
Speaker 4 (27:52):
Here in LA it's a little bit more than that.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
One six hundred and twenty seven dollars expected, though that
is down from the previous year. So let's talk about
how folks told Deloitte they're planning to spend their money.
What types of gifts stood out in the survey.
Speaker 5 (28:08):
Well, when shoppers are going out to the malls and
to online retailers this season, their shopping lists are going
to include both gift and non gift items. When we're
looking at non gift items in particular, this is a
great time to stock up on some of the essentials
for yourself, and so you can expect lots of clothing sales.
(28:31):
There are electronics that will be on the gift and
non gift list this year, although that is trending down slightly,
not as many new electronics needed. And then toys we
expect to maintain pretty flat compared to previous years, and
gift cards continue to be one of the easiest ways
(28:52):
that gifters can provide some holiday cheer to their friends
and family, so that tends to be top of the
list across the board when it comes to the gifting purchases.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Gift cards are an easy out for president. I noticed
in this survey that you found forty nine percent of
shoppers plan to give what you all classify as experiential gifts.
I guess something that will offer an experience that someone
can take up on their own time.
Speaker 5 (29:22):
Yeah, that's right, and that's actually a trend that we've
seen continuing since the post COVID period. People really recognize
the importance of spending time with friends and family, and
so those experiences, those experiential gifts are a great way
to get the holidays rolling, get time together with friends
(29:43):
and family and really recognize the importance of this time
of year, and so that trend has continued. I will say, though,
this is an area where LA shoppers are pulling back
a bit again because they're having to make choices based
on their overall cost of living economic concerns that they
have about the economy.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
Well, despite those economic concerns, I do note that your
survey found four and ten of Los Angeles responders to
this survey expect to give themselves a gift this season.
And that's something I have to confess I like to
do as well. It's hard to resist when you're out
there and you see those deals that retailers are offering.
What are folks looking to gift themselves this holiday season?
Speaker 5 (30:23):
Yeah, that is true. That is a great time to
stock up on items for yourselves because of all of
the discounting that is available to shoppers. Clothing is a
popular one, Electronics is another popular one, and then also
again those experiences spending time with friends and family at
either restaurants or entertaining in their home, maybe doing some
(30:46):
scrucing us of their house for the holidays.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
Our guest is Summer Tailor with Deloitte. The firm recently
released the results of a holiday shopping survey looking at
the country and also Los Angeles specifically. It does indicate
that folks in La plan to spend a little bit
more than the national average, about sixteen hundred and twenty
seven dollars on holidays spending this holiday season. That could
(31:10):
be a lot of money when times feel uncertain as
they do right now. So I know that you asked
folks whether they were scaling back or planning to stretch
their dollars as best they can. What did survey respondents.
Speaker 4 (31:22):
Tell you about that?
Speaker 5 (31:24):
Well, they definitely told us that they are expecting to
spend less. We're seeing about a nineteen percent decline year
over year in Los Angeles. When you look specifically at
where they're pulling back their purchases, it's in the non
gift categories. That's down roughly one quarter of the budget
from last year. And then health and Wellness is another
(31:46):
one that stood out to me when I looked at
the LA data. These are just about making choices of
the total amount of budget that you have available to spend,
and with higher cost of living and economic concerns, we'll
have to make cautious choices about where we're spending our money.
But those are the ones that came down with it
year every year.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
Summer Taylor is an audit and Assurance Managing director at Deloitte.
We do appreciate your time, Summer and explaining the survey
of what to expect for shoppers and shopping in Los Angeles'
holiday season. Thanks so much, and happy shopping out.
Speaker 5 (32:20):
There, Thank you, Thanks to you, Happy holidays.
Speaker 4 (32:23):
We have another hour ahead.
Speaker 2 (32:24):
We'll talk with a local man who's trying to save
the lives of dogs living among the homeless on skid row.
They're often abused and starved, and he says the local
governments are not doing enough to help. Michael Monks reports
continues
Speaker 1 (32:38):
KFI AM six forty on demand
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