Flowers, eating out and cards top the list of record-setting Mother’s Day spending

Flowers, special outings — such as brunch or dinner — and cards top the ways mothers are expected to be honored on their special day Sunday, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey.

The survey found that spending for Mother’s Day is expected reach its highest level in the survey’s 14-year history at $23.6 billion. That also tops last year’s record of $21.4 billion.

Consumers are expected to spend an average of $186.39 on their moms, up from $172.22 last year, according to the survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Here’s a look at how consumers are showering blessings on Mother’s Day:

▪ $2.6 billion on flowers, 69 percent of shoppers;

▪ $4.2 billion on special outings such as dinner or brunch, 56 percent;

▪ $2.5 billion on gift cards, 45 percent;

▪ $2.1 billion on clothing, 37 percent;

▪ $5 billion on jewelry, 36 percent;

▪ $1.9 billion on personal services such as a spa day, 24 percent;

▪ $2 billion on consumer electronics, 15 percent.

All that spending is music to the ears of the Georgia Retail Association.

“The retail industry continues to be reassured by a strengthening economy and, as this survey shows, increasing consumer confidence,” R. Scott Shalley, chief executive officer and president of the association, said in a news release.

The survey asked 7,406 consumers between April 4-11 about their Mother’s Day plans. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.2 percentage points.

This story was originally published May 11, 2017 at 5:59 PM with the headline "Flowers, eating out and cards top the list of record-setting Mother’s Day spending."