Minnesota is often known as flyover-country territory, or for its winters, and then there's always popular Land of 10,000 Lakes reference.

It's also one of only 10 states that don't tax clothing or shoes, home to the nation's largest mall, the Mall of America, and other great shopping centers, outlet malls and unique boutiques across the state. From Duluth's area shops and goods like nationally-recognized Duluth Pack to Victorian towns along the Mississippi River to Minnesota's four premium shopping outlets, visitors looking to take advantage of Minnesota's tax-free shopping will not be disappointed.

With the impending tax season and tax refunds that will be filling consumers' wallets, not to mention the dropping fuel prices across the nation putting an average of 9 percent more cash back into the budgets of households in 2015, a Minnesota shopping trip can be the ideal any-time getaway.

By the numbers of why Minnesota is the top destination right now:
• Tax-free shopping saves roughly $7 for every $100 spent in the state.
• The federal Energy Information Administration estimated American households will save roughly $750 this year due to lower gas prices, which does not account for any additional savings on consumers monthly gas bill, keeping more in consumers' wallets compared to recent years.
• According to Kiplinger, retail and food sales are expected to climb 4.2 percent in 2015.
• Americans confidence in the economy is growing, according to Mintel, forecasting that total US consumer expenditures will grow by 20 percent from 2013-2018 in comparison to a 15 percent increase from 2008-2014, with nonessentials such as shopping, showing the greatest potential gain.

Potential reference sources to consider:
• Explore Minnesota will be available upon request to talk about the tax free savings that tourists enjoy and top places to shop in Minnesota.
• Mall of America to share why Minnesota should be considered a top destination for tourists this year and shopping trends from the nation's largest mall.
• High-res images of Minnesota shopping destinations available upon request.

Explore Minnesota created a Twin Cities Mall Crawl ( http://www.exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/twin-cities-mall-crawl), a three-plus day shopping excursion itinerary that keeps visitors out of the cold and shopping 'til they drop using Minnesota's indoor malls and unique skyway system.