MANATEE — Florida retailers hope a new economic study will spur the state into making a back-to-school sales tax holiday an annual staple.

A Florida Retail Federation study released Thursday said last year’s three-day holiday increased sales so much that the state actually collected more in taxes. That’s proof that Florida should enact the holiday again this year and every year after that, the trade group’s president and chief executive officer said. No decision has yet been made for holding a tax holiday this year.

“This report proves, finally, to all the skeptics that these holidays stimulate sales and tax revenue,” Rick McAllister told reporters during a conference call. “It’s a win for the consumer, the retailer and the state of Florida.”

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