Americans to spend 21.2 bln USD on Mother's Day: survey

Americans are expected to spend 21.2 billion U.S. dollars on Mother's Day to thank mom, a twelve-year high, said a survey on Monday.

Americans will spend an average of 172.63 dollars on mom this year, up nearly 10 dollars from 162.94 dollars last year and the highest amount in the survey's 12-year history, said 2015 Mother's Day Spending Survey of the National Retail Federation (NRF).

"We're encouraged by the positive shift we've seen in spending on discretionary and gift items from consumers so far this year, certainly boding well for retailers across all spectrums who are planning to promote Mother's Day specials, including home improvement, jewelry, apparel and other specialty retailers as well as restaurants," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in the survey.

Jewelry is expected to be the single largest spending for the special day, about 4.3 billion dollars, up from 31.7 percent last year, followed by a special brunch or activity, 3.8 billion dollars, flowers, 2.4 billion dollars and clothing items, 1.9 billion dollars.

Greeting cards will be the most popular gifts as 80 percent consumers plan to pick up one for their mothers, while flowers will be the second which 67.2 percent consumers are expected to buy.

Department stores are expected to be the most favorable place for Americans to choose gifts, as 33.4 percent of consumers plan to shop there. Fewer shoppers will be shopping online this year, down from 29 percent last year to 25 percent this year, as shoppers are more willing to get out of the house after a long winter.

Mother's Day is annually held on the second Sunday of May in the United States. This year's falls on May 10. Endite