San Diego, CA. - Mexicans who cross the border to do their Christmas shopping in Southern California, seem to have become an important part of the economic force that drives the region, in which retailers every year try to attract many of these shoppers with their terrific sales.

According to the Chamber of Commerce of San Ysidro, sales during the holiday season represent about 30 percent of its volume throughout the entire year, and although there are no official figures, it is estimated that shoppers spend close to 6 million dollars in San Diego County each year.

Christmas shopping on an average represents an amount of $ 536 spent per family, and also during these few weeks the flow of shoppers reaches its highest point of the year said Kenn Morris to Efe, who is also president of a bi-national consulting firm called the " Crossborder Group Inc."

To promote holiday shopping in the San Diego area to those who come from Tijuana, some area businesses not only have great sales, but also provide transportation from the border to shopping centers that do not have a fast connection, as in the case of Plaza Bonita or Viejas Indian Reservation, who both try to take advantage of the more than 100,000 Mexicans who cross the border into the U.S. daily.

Sherry Jones, who is the CEO of Plaza Bonita, told Efe that the mall has been planning the transportation service for over a year, and the reason for that is because of how much they value customers that come from Tijuana.

According to a study by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), there are about 25 million crossings made from Mexico into the U.S. for purchases each year.

SANDAG also reveals that 55 percent of the crossings from Mexico into the U.S. are made in order to make purchases, 26 percent for work and 11 percent for family visits.

Editorial@sandiegored.com