Consumers Eager For Spring, Easter

After a long, cold winter for most of the country, consumers are eager to celebrate Easter with their family and friends, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2007 Easter Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey. This year, shoppers who are planning to celebrate Easter (more than 75 percent) are expected to spend an average of $135, up 11 percent from last year ($122). Total holiday spending is estimated to reach $14.37 billion.

Spending is expected to increase across the board. Some of the more popular Easter purchases include candy ($18.53), gifts ($20.61), flowers ($9.63) and decorations ($7.63).

Department stores will be a popular Easter shopping destination, with 22 percent more consumers planning on shopping there this year than last year (36.8 vs. 30 percent). Other popular locations for Easter shopping include specialty stores (23.7 percent), online (12.7 percent) and catalog (5.6 percent). Although discount stores will see the most traffic, they won’t see as much as last year (57.2 vs. 59.6 percent).

Shoppers between the ages of 25 and 34 will spend the most per person this year ($147.47), according to NRF. Coming in second is the 45-54 age group ($144.13), followed by 35-44 year olds ($139.36) and 18-24 year olds ($137.30).

For more information, visit www.nrf.com.