Digging Deep For Mom: Spending Nears $16 Billion

  • April 19, 2007
A survey of American consumers found that people are planning to splurge on Mom this year, with 84.5% of shoppers looking to spend a total of $15.73 billion.

According to a survey of 7,800 consumers from the National Retail Federation, the greeting card is a given: Some 86.8% expect to purchase one. Popular gifts will include $2.3 billion on flowers (mentioned by 72.4%), $3.1 billion on brunch or dinner at a favorite restaurant (61%), $1.6 billion on clothes and accessories (37%), and $2.1 billion on jewelry (32.8%.) Gift certificates at a spa or salon are gaining fast in popularity, mentioned by 19.7%, who plan to spend about $1.3 billion on these gifts. Last year, only 14.5% of poll respondents were planning such a purchase.

Other changes this year include where consumers will shop for Mom. More than ever, the Internet is the place to be, with 20% saying they will shop online, compared to 16.9% last year. Most gifts (37.5%) will be purchased at specialty retailers, such as florists, while 24% will be from a discount store. And 29% plan to shop at department stores.

Men expect to spend more, with the average male shopper planning to spend $172.91, compared to women's estimated $107.18. "Shoppers ages 25-34 will spend the most this year ($151.42), followed by 35-44 year olds ($147.30), 55-64 year olds ($138.14) and 18-24 year olds ($137.73)," the NRF says.--Sarah Mahoney

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