Amid signs of increased optimism about their personal finances, 25% of US consumers plan to spend more on holiday shopping this year compared to 20% in 2013, and spending on holiday gifts is expected to average $718, according to Accenture’s annual holiday shopping survey. Another major predictor, the National Retail Federation, announced in October, that it expects sales in November and December (excluding autos, gas and restaurant sales) to increase 4.1% to $616.9 billion, higher than 2013’...