Mother’s Day Spending to Reach $20.7B

[Sherman A1]

Consumers will spend an average of $168.94 for Mother’s Day, up 11 percent from last year’s $152.52, according to NRF’s Mother’s Day spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight. Additionally, this year's total spending is expected to reach $20.7 billion.

“It’s clear that Americans this year want to honor the woman with the hardest job in the world with unique and special gifts this Mother’s Day,” said NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. “After a long winter that kept many from splurging on any new spring merchandise, retailers are looking forward to opening their doors and surprising shoppers with promotions that are perfect for any gardener, host, fashionista or tech-savvy mom.”

While traditional gifts such as flowers, apparel and gift cards will maintain their popularity, many consumers will stretch their budget a little further and buy a tablet, smartphone or necklace. The survey found 14.1 percent – the highest in the survey’s history – of shoppers this Mother’s Day will spend more than $2.3 billion on electronics, up from $1.6 billion last year, and more than one-third (34.4 percent) of gift givers will buy jewelry, spending a total of $4.2 billion, up from $3.7 billion last year.

Additionally, gift givers will splurge on a special outing, such as brunch or dinner ($3.5 billion), flowers ($2.3 billion), gift cards ($2 billion), clothing or clothing accessories ($1.7 billion), and personal service gifts, such as a day at the spa ($1.5 billion).

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/shopper-behavior/id39014/mothers-day-spending-to-reach-20-7b/

[pipoman]

1. Looking forward to my biggest day of the year

at the restaurant...we are booked for brunch with a little over 500 reservations in 4 hours..every year for the past 5 years we have increased revenues without changing the fixed price...just adding tables in every nook and cranny without making people feel crowded.. Mothers Day exceeds Easter brunch every year because we can completely fill the 10:30am times on mothers day...people will not skip church on Easter, they will on mom's day..

Happy Mother's Day moms!

[Sherman A1]

3. Good to hear.

Keeping the economy moving is always great!

[pipoman]

4. It's all hands on deck...around 30

employees will receive an extra tip, even those who are not in tipped positions..everyone likes working these busy days..not just for the extra I give them, but because it is fun when people leave happy and satisfied..

[LWolf]

2. I spent about $45,

which was more than I could afford. My mom had a special request. She has arthritis in her lower back, and stays very active. She uses pain patches. She wanted a whole bunch of her favorites, because since her "other" income in addition to SS was just cut by 75%, she can't afford them any more.

So she's getting a card and a stack of boxes full of pain patches.

[Sherman A1]

5. That is what she wants, so it is what she should have

and it's superb.