The state’s retailers were hoping for a big holiday shopping season this year, possibly a 5.7 percent increase or even more over last year’s sales. But David Overfelt, President of the Missouri Retailers Association, says that while the numbers are not final, the growth could be a bit smaller – probably about 4 percent. Overfelt has no immediate reasons for the possible smaller growth, but he points out this week is still a big week for retail sales in the state with shoppers looking for bargains.