Michigan retailers are expecting subpar sales this holiday season, in line with national trends and retailer forecasts.

The Michigan Retail Index reported that while 57 percent of state retailers are expecting higher holiday spending compared to a year ago, the projected revenue growth is only 3.7 percent.

That figure is the lowest projection since the index began forecasting holiday sales in 1994.

The index is a joint venture of the Michigan Retailers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The association is a statewide organization of more than 5,700 retail businesses based in Michigan.

Association Chairman and CEO Larry Meyer said in a written statement that the projected decline in holiday spending growth reveals retailers’ optimism despite a sluggish economy.

“A bright spot is that more retailers than last year are forecasting holiday increases,” Meyer said. “We continue to see solid retailer optimism, although it’s tempered by the realities of a slow-growing economy.”

Holiday season projections for 2001 included only 49 percent of retailers expecting increased sales during last year’s holidays.

Jim Bach, general manager of Dick’s Sporting Goods in Eastwood Towne Center in Lansing Township, said his store was anticipating a positive showing in the next two months despite state trends.

“We’ve exceeded our current sales plan for the grand opening in September and the month of October,” Bach said. “We anticipate our current trend to continue. We’re actually doing very well.”

Decreased projections of holiday revenue could have an impact on holiday hiring practices as well. The State News reported in September that Michigan retailers could cut back on seasonal hiring.

The Michigan Retail Index reported that 82 percent of retailers plan to hire the same amount of help as last year, while 17 percent plan to decrease the number of seasonal hires.