April 17, 2007

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According to a US-wide survey released today by the National Retail Federation, this year, mother's should prepare themselves for more gifts at Mother's Day than they actually received in 2006. Overall, many consumers plan to increase their spending for that special day.

Performed by Big Research Inc., the study reveals that consumers plan to spend nearly $16 billion in total, with the average shopper spending about $139.14 on a Mother's Day gift. This is up from an average of $122.16 spent in 2006.

Mothers should get ready to be treated to various gifts as consumers are projected to spend $3.1 billion in total on a special dinner or brunch at their mother's favorite restaurant (61 percent), $2.3 billion on flowers (72.4 percent), $2.1 billion on jewelry (32.8 percent) and $1.6 billion on clothes and apparel (37 percent).

Overall, nearly 38 percent of gifts will be purchased at a specialty store, such as a florist, jeweler or electronics store, according to the trade group.

About 29 percent of shoppers will buy a gift from a department store, while 24 percent plan to go to a discount store. About 3 percent will order from a catalog.

Consumers planning to avoid physical stores and catalogs altogether will turn to the Web. Online shopping for mothers will see an increase of 20 percent, up from the nearly 17 percent of shoppers who surfed the Internet for a Mother's Day gift last year.

Tracy Mullin, NRF President and CEO said "for mom, it's the thought that counts. As people find more creative ways to treat their mothers to something special, retailers of all types and sizes stand to benefit from that special event."

Other popular gifts shoppers plan to buy include greeting cards (86.8 percent), gift certificates (39.3 percent), books or CDs (29.3 percent), housewares or gardening tools (18.5 percent) and consumer electronics or computer-related accessories (11.3 percent).

Another popular gift that has grown in recent years is pampering mothers at a spa or beauty salon. Nearly 20 percent of consumers plan on treating their mother with rest and relaxation, spending $1.3 billion in total.

In 2006, less than 15 percent purchased a personal service type of gift for their mother. Of the consumers buying Mother's Day gifts, men plan to spend the most, with the average male shopper planning to spend about $172.91, compared to women's estimated $107.18.

Phil Rist, v.p. of Strategy at BIGresearch, said "although it's hard to measure our love for our moms, consumers continue to spend on special, one-of-a-kind gifts for her."

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Source: CNN Money

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