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A Washington state unit focused on organized retail crime filed its first case last month, charging a 33-year-old Bremerton man with 11 thefts totaling more than $50,000 from Target stores in Kitsap and King counties.

Why it matters: The unit within the state Attorney General's Office was created this year with the aim of curbing organized retail theft.

In the Seattle area, Target and Rite Aid are among a string of national retailers that have shuttered stores over the last year, citing pilferage and safety issues.

That's left consumers with no 24-hour pharmacies in Seattle.

Residents might find themselves making a trip to Issaquah, Tacoma, or Puyallup in the middle of the night for a child's ear infection or any other emergency.

Zoom out: Organized retail crime has been difficult to measure consistently across the country.

The nation's largest retail trade group just retracted a key assertion from a recent report that "nearly half" of the $94.5 billion inventory losses reported by retailers in a 2021 survey "was attributable" to organized retail crime.

Separately, the Council on Criminal Justice notes that Seattle and San Francisco saw the largest decreases in shoplifting incidents between the first halves of 2022 and 2023, based on police data.

Yes, but: Security and retail experts who spoke at a Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce panel discussion last month think retail thefts are underreported.

Retailers are legitimately afraid that too many reported incidents could cause them to lose their insurance, according to Mark Johnson of the Washington Retail Association.

But, he said, it's critically important for retailers to report thefts anyway because the criminal justice system increasingly depends on data analytics for law enforcement funding and successful prosecutions.

"If you don't report it, it didn't happen," said Johnson.

Zoom in: By one measure, Washington state has one of the highest retail theft problems in the nation, according to an online survey commissioned by Forbes Advisor of small business owners with a brick-and-mortar store.

Theft cost Washington retailers almost $3 billion, said Johnson, resulting in a loss to municipalities of more than $300 million in uncollected taxes.

What they're saying: These crimes hurt Seattle businesses, said Rachel Smith, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, because of "compromised ability to attract and retain employees and customers" as well as increased costs to ensure their safety.

The intrigue: Among the most stolen items from Seattle-area shops: Legos, Pokémon cards, power tools, health and beauty products, toilet paper and paper towels, the retail theft experts said at the Chamber of Commerce panel discussion.

What we're watching: State and federal legislators are considering bills to combat retail crime, said Johnson, including one that would provide funding to small businesses for loss prevention tools such as cameras and lighting.

The fight against organized retail crime heats up in Washington

Legos, Pokémon cards, power tools and toilet paper are among most stolen items in Seattle.

Illustration of a burglar in a ski mask holding a giant sack 

A Washington state unit focused on organized retail crime filed its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first case last month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-s-organized-retail-crime-unit-files-its-first-criminal-prosecution" data-vars-content-id="19eca50e-f965-4614-9b56-196971194ae2" data-vars-headline="The fight against organized retail crime heats up in Washington" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-s-organized-retail-crime-unit-files-its-first-criminal-prosecution" target="_blank">first case last month</a>, charging a 33-year-old Bremerton man with 11 thefts totaling more than $50,000 from Target stores in Kitsap and King counties.Why it matters: The unit within the state Attorney General&#x27;s Office was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="created this year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-and-legislature-partner-create-organized-retail-crime-unit-within" data-vars-content-id="19eca50e-f965-4614-9b56-196971194ae2" data-vars-headline="The fight against organized retail crime heats up in Washington" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-and-legislature-partner-create-organized-retail-crime-unit-within" target="_blank">created this year</a> with the aim of curbing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="organized retail theft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/13/organized-retail-crime-report" data-vars-content-id="19eca50e-f965-4614-9b56-196971194ae2" data-vars-headline="The fight against organized retail crime heats up in Washington" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/13/organized-retail-crime-report" target="_self">organized retail theft</a>.

News

A procession of increasingly intense weather systems — including two atmospheric rivers — could bring weather drama to the Pacific Northwest through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Driving the news: The first of these, a "garden variety PNW December winter storm system," is expected to bring a half-inch of rain, stiff breezes and up to 30 inches of snow to the mountains and passes by the end of Friday, National Weather Service meteorologist Kirby Cook told Axios.

The second arrives Saturday, bringing gusts of up to 30 mph in Seattle and up to 45 in some coastal areas, higher temperatures and potentially more than 3 inches of rain in the Olympic and Cascade mountains.

Saturday's "typical" winter system will likely transition, without breaks, into the weekend's first atmospheric river by Sunday, Cook said.

A second, and bigger, atmospheric river arrives Tuesday with an additional inch of rain for Seattle and as much as 5 more inches of rain in the mountains, per NWS. 

Be smart: Heavy rain and snow, brisk winds and potential lowland river flooding could make traveling over the next few days tricky. Be sure to check weather and road conditions before heading out.

What they're saying: "It's a good weekend to read a book or watch a movie," said Cook.

Four storms in a row are heading for Seattle

Two atmospheric rivers and two "typical" winter storms are on tap for the Pacific Northwest.

A red umbrella blows inside out during a windstorm in Seattle. 

People fight high winds and rain on the 15th Avenue pedestrian bridge in Seattle's University District. Photo: Genna Martin/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

A procession of increasingly intense weather systems — including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two atmospheric rivers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/12/atmospheric-rivers-explained-california-flooding-snow#:~:text=Between%20the%20lines%3A%20Climate%20change,made%20available%20to%20storm%20systems." data-vars-content-id="69fa15a0-eb5f-4ee7-bfdc-1703c2ae901d" data-vars-headline="Four storms in a row are heading for Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/12/atmospheric-rivers-explained-california-flooding-snow#:~:text=Between%20the%20lines%3A%20Climate%20change,made%20available%20to%20storm%20systems." target="_self">two atmospheric rivers</a> — could bring weather drama to the Pacific Northwest through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.Driving the news: The first of these, a &quot;garden variety PNW December winter storm system,&quot; is expected to bring a half-inch of rain, stiff breezes and up to 30 inches of snow to the mountains and passes by the end of Friday, National Weather Service meteorologist Kirby Cook told Axios.

Cleanup from two potent atmospheric rivers that dumped up to 10 inches of rain over two days in some parts of the Pacific Northwest — flooding homes, closing streets and triggering landslides — could last through the week.

The big picture: At least two people died in Oregon creeks during the deluge, which also prompted school shutdowns, a water rescue near Portland and a school bus rescue in Thurston County.

Landslides forced Amtrak to cancel train service between Seattle and Portland and closed part of the Burke-Gilman Trail in Seattle.

Driving the news: As much as another inch of rain could fall over the next few days on the coast of Washington and the Weather Prediction Center is not ruling out more heavy rainfall, though the greatest impacts are likely behind Seattle.

Details: Daily rain records were set across Washington Tuesday, including Seattle (with 2.39 inches of rain) and Olympia (with 2.96 inches).

Quillayute measured 4.19 inches on Monday, National Weather Service Seattle meteorologist Kayla Mazurkiewicz told Axios.

The Stillaguamish River reached 21.34 feet in Snohomish County, breaking records and flooding homes in Arlington and surrounding streets, she said.

In Skagit County, communities were told to prepare for evacuation and in Snohomish, emergency responders had to rescue drivers who tried to power through flooded roads. 

Of note: At least one such rescued person was issued a $432 citation for driving around the road closure, per the sheriff's office.

A car nearly submerged in a flooded street beyond two road closure warning signs. 

A driver stands near a partially submerged car on a road that was closed due to flooding in Snohomish County. Photo: Snohomish County Sheriff's Office/X

Plus: NWS Seattle said floodwaters may recede slowly from some rivers, including the Stillaguamish, due to the degree of flooding.

The Skokomish in Mason County could also remain elevated through the weekend.

Dozens of roads remained closed yesterday with no clear estimated times for reopening, per the Department of Transportation.

Between the lines: Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow highways of moisture that can travel thousands of miles and carry as much as 15 times the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River. They are responsible for 30–50% of the wet-season precipitation along the West Coast, according to NOAA.

Climate change is adding even more moisture to atmospheric rivers, leading to higher rain and snow totals, per Axios' Andrew Freedman.

It's also intensified extreme weather fluctuations, with parts of the western U.S. swinging from drought to flood in recent times.

What's next: By next week, the PNW is likely to be back to its "regularly scheduled programming," said Mazurkiewicz, with scattered rain in the lowlands and snow in the mountains and passes.

Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge

A deluge of rain from two atmospheric rivers led to flooding, road closures and rescues in the Pacific Northwest.

A teen pulls a canoe through flooded streets in Washington state. 

Rivers throughout Western Washington breached banks and levees, closing roads and flooding homes after record-breaking rainfall. Photo: Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

Cleanup from two <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potent atmospheric rivers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/06/pacific-northwest-atmospheric-river-rain-flooding" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/06/pacific-northwest-atmospheric-river-rain-flooding" target="_self">potent atmospheric rivers</a> that dumped up to 10 inches of rain over two days in some parts of the Pacific Northwest — flooding homes, closing streets and triggering landslides — could last through the week.The big picture: At least two people died in Oregon creeks during the deluge, which also prompted <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/north-coast/school-closures-flooded-roadways-oregon-coast-heavy-rain/283-3e242ca2-11a9-453a-90ca-d44597a7f9bd" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/north-coast/school-closures-flooded-roadways-oregon-coast-heavy-rain/283-3e242ca2-11a9-453a-90ca-d44597a7f9bd" target="_blank">school</a> shutdowns, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="water rescue" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/pacific-northwest-atmospheric-river-rain-oregon-washington-f96cffd40a37a21786ac29f635f4e089" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/pacific-northwest-atmospheric-river-rain-oregon-washington-f96cffd40a37a21786ac29f635f4e089" target="_blank">water rescue</a> near Portland and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school bus rescue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/100063609372044/posts/pfbid02nzWCPtEYbrtudgXvX5YzMBWGvwwMUR19wNTgdwomRrefBB7xQANWPAXrRbFRVdLbl/?app=fbl" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/100063609372044/posts/pfbid02nzWCPtEYbrtudgXvX5YzMBWGvwwMUR19wNTgdwomRrefBB7xQANWPAXrRbFRVdLbl/?app=fbl" target="_blank">school bus rescue</a> in Thurston County.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Landslides" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/amtrak-cancels-all-trains-between-seattle-portland-after-landslide-blocks-tracks/ZWX2ZLU2VJAZTFNQ6NQTNX2P3E/" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/amtrak-cancels-all-trains-between-seattle-portland-after-landslide-blocks-tracks/ZWX2ZLU2VJAZTFNQ6NQTNX2P3E/" target="_blank">Landslides</a> forced Amtrak to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cancel" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/AmtrakAlerts/status/1732105240449626300" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/AmtrakAlerts/status/1732105240449626300" target="_blank">cancel</a> train service between Seattle and Portland and closed part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Burke-Gilman Trail" data-vars-click-url="https://komonews.com/news/local/heavy-rain-pacific-northwest-landslide-burke-gilman-trail-closes-due-to-slide-mud-debris-trees-down-seattle-western-washington-storm-fall-winter-flooding-rivers-flood-watch-warning-what-to-do-landslide-preparation-king-county" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://komonews.com/news/local/heavy-rain-pacific-northwest-landslide-burke-gilman-trail-closes-due-to-slide-mud-debris-trees-down-seattle-western-washington-storm-fall-winter-flooding-rivers-flood-watch-warning-what-to-do-landslide-preparation-king-county" target="_blank">Burke-Gilman Trail</a> in Seattle.</li></ul>Driving the news: As much as another inch of rain could fall over the next few days on the coast of Washington and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Weather Prediction Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd" target="_blank">Weather Prediction Center</a> is not ruling out more heavy rainfall, though the greatest impacts are likely behind Seattle.Details: Daily rain records were set across Washington Tuesday, including Seattle (with 2.39 inches of rain) and Olympia (with 2.96 inches).<ul><li>Quillayute measured 4.19 inches on Monday, National Weather Service Seattle meteorologist Kayla Mazurkiewicz told Axios.</li><li>The Stillaguamish River reached 21.34 feet in Snohomish County, breaking records and flooding homes in Arlington and surrounding streets, she said.</li><li>In Skagit County, communities were told to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prepare for evacuation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/skagit-county-warns-residents-to-prepare-for-evacuation-due-to-floods/" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/skagit-county-warns-residents-to-prepare-for-evacuation-due-to-floods/" target="_blank">prepare for evacuation</a> and in Snohomish, emergency responders had to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rescue drivers" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/SnoCoSheriff/status/1732181801626664989" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/SnoCoSheriff/status/1732181801626664989" target="_blank">rescue drivers</a> who tried to power through flooded roads. </li></ul>Of note: At least one such rescued person was issued a $432 citation for driving around the road closure, per the sheriff&#x27;s office.<figure><img alt="A car nearly submerged in a flooded street beyond two road closure warning signs. " height="1536" id="53e1c4bd-d819-4963-8c53-64af2d14b5fe" src="https://images.axios.com/Ys5lwHWOfs-7rqOr4Uzh2sr7qRg=/2023/12/06/1701904280736.jpg" width="2048"/><figcaption>A driver stands near a partially submerged car on a road that was closed due to flooding in Snohomish County. Photo: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Snohomish County Sheriff&#x27;s Office" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/SnoCoSheriff" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/SnoCoSheriff" target="_blank">Snohomish County Sheriff&#x27;s Office</a>/X</figcaption></figure>Plus: NWS Seattle said floodwaters may recede slowly from some rivers, including the Stillaguamish, due to the degree of flooding.<ul><li>The Skokomish in Mason County could also remain elevated through the weekend.</li></ul><ul><li>Dozens of roads remained closed yesterday with no clear estimated times for reopening, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Department of Transportation" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/wsdot?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/wsdot?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">Department of Transportation</a>.</li></ul>Between the lines: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Atmospheric rivers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/12/atmospheric-rivers-explained-california-flooding-snow" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/12/atmospheric-rivers-explained-california-flooding-snow" target="_self">Atmospheric rivers</a> are long, narrow highways of moisture that can travel thousands of miles and carry as much as 15 times the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River. They are responsible for 30–50% of the wet-season precipitation along the West Coast, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to NOAA" data-vars-click-url="https://psl.noaa.gov/arportal/about/" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://psl.noaa.gov/arportal/about/" target="_blank">according to NOAA</a>.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/energy-environment/climate-change" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/energy-environment/climate-change" target="_self">Climate change</a> is adding even more moisture to atmospheric rivers, leading to higher rain and snow totals, per Axios&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Andrew Freedman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/authors/afreedman" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/authors/afreedman" target="_self">Andrew Freedman</a>.</li><li>It&#x27;s also <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="intensified extreme weather fluctuations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/19/southwest-flooding-drought-arizona-new-mexico" data-vars-content-id="74e93c48-d22e-4abb-918e-498926fcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle area mops up after record-breaking deluge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/19/southwest-flooding-drought-arizona-new-mexico" target="_self">intensified extreme weather fluctuations</a>, with parts of the western U.S. swinging from drought to flood in recent times.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: By next week, the PNW is likely to be back to its &quot;regularly scheduled programming,&quot; said Mazurkiewicz, with scattered rain in the lowlands and snow in the mountains and passes.

Climate

Seattleites are planning to spend over $2,000 on average this holiday season, higher than the national average and up 59% from 2021, according to a recently released survey.

Why it matters: Though consumer sentiment has fallen amid worries over inflation and the economy, Americans expect to spend more this year on holiday gifts and celebrations than any year since 2019, the 2023 holiday retail survey by Deloitte found.

Zoom in: In Seattle, shoppers are ready to lay out the cash, with 74% saying they anticipate higher prices overall, according to data provided to Axios by Deloitte.

The average consumer in Seattle expects to spend $2,073 this year, up from $1,303 in 2021 and 25% higher than this year's national average of $1,652, per Deloitte.

Surveyed residents said they expect to spend about 70% of their holiday budgets online (compared to 63% nationally) and to visit 4.2 stores in person.

Seattleites said they are buying gifts for nine people and spending about $300 on gift cards, per the survey.

What they're saying: "Seattle shoppers are expecting higher shopping prices this year and they're planning to spend more as a result, but they're still on the hunt for the best deals," Deloitte retail and consumer products principal Adam Almond told Axios.

Among their strategies: adding items to their online carts and waiting for a price drop, said Almond.

Zoom out: Nationally, consumers shelled out $9.8 billion on Black Friday, a 7.5% jump over last year, Adobe Analytics reported.

Yes, but: While 32% of U.S. consumers with student loans say they won't change their holiday spending plans because of loan repayments, that number drops to 23% in Seattle.

This holiday season, Seattleites are ready to spend

Seattleites are planning to spend over $2,000 on average this holiday season, up 59% from 2021.

A shopper at a vendor in Seattle's Pike Place Market. 

A shopper makes a purchase at Pike Place Market. Photo: Rachael Jones/Courtesy of Visit Seattle

Seattleites are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="planning to spend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/online-shopping-thanksgiving-black-friday-cyber-monday" data-vars-content-id="8dd7e717-cbd0-44b9-beaa-8d997d0cd8bc" data-vars-headline="This holiday season, Seattleites are ready to spend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/online-shopping-thanksgiving-black-friday-cyber-monday" target="_self">planning to spend</a> over $2,000 on average this holiday season, higher than the national average and up 59% from 2021, according to a recently released survey.Why it matters: Though consumer sentiment has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fallen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/13/consumer-sentiment-plunges-october" data-vars-content-id="8dd7e717-cbd0-44b9-beaa-8d997d0cd8bc" data-vars-headline="This holiday season, Seattleites are ready to spend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/13/consumer-sentiment-plunges-october" target="_self">fallen</a> amid worries over inflation and the economy, Americans expect to spend more this year on holiday gifts and celebrations than any year since 2019, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2023 holiday retail survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/retail-distribution/holiday-retail-sales-consumer-survey.html" data-vars-content-id="8dd7e717-cbd0-44b9-beaa-8d997d0cd8bc" data-vars-headline="This holiday season, Seattleites are ready to spend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/retail-distribution/holiday-retail-sales-consumer-survey.html" target="_blank">2023 holiday retail survey</a> by Deloitte found.

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Data: USDA Economic Research Service; Chart: Axios Visuals

The number of Americans who couldn't reliably afford to eat is rising, both in Washington state and around the country, according to new government data.

Why it matters: The economy might've looked great in 2022 by some metrics, like the low unemployment rate, but not this one.

With rising food costs and the disappearance of pandemic-era benefits that lowered food insecurity in 2021, food insecurity appears to be rebounding.

Zoom in: Across Washington, an average of 8.3% of households were living with food insecurity between 2020 and 2022, compared to 7.9% from 2019 to 2021.

Before the pandemic, Seattle-based Food Lifeline was serving up to 700,000 people in the region annually, spokesperson Mark Coleman said.

But that number swelled during the pandemic to 1.1 million and has since grown to a staggering 1.6 million, Coleman said.

"Rising food costs since the pandemic is currently one of the biggest drivers of food insecurity in Western Washington," Coleman said.

Zoom out: Nationally, the share of households that couldn't reliably afford food rose from 10.2% in 2021 to 12.8% in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's economic research service.

Among households with children, 17.3% are food-insecure, up nearly 5 percentage points from the previous year. The last time that number was higher was in 2014. 

What they're saying: "If you don't pay the rent or your mortgage, you don't have a place to live. If you don't put gas in the car, you can't get to work," said Lisa Davis, a senior vice president at Share Our Strength, an anti-poverty nonprofit. "Food is the place that folks turn when they have to tighten the belt even more."

What to watch: Some members of Congress are looking to make further cuts to food benefits; that happened last time lawmakers and the president brokered a deal to keep the government running.

Food insecurity is rising in Washington, new report shows

Rising food costs and the disappearance of pandemic-era benefits appear to be taking a toll.

The number of Americans who couldn&#x27;t reliably afford to eat is rising, both in Washington state and around the country, according to new government data.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/economy-business" data-vars-content-id="fef5e5b8-5108-4866-8018-f5a18938644e" data-vars-headline="Food insecurity is rising in Washington, new report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/economy-business" target="_self">economy</a> might&#x27;ve looked great in 2022 by some metrics, like the low unemployment rate, but not this one.

Christine Clarridge

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