Spending to top $16 billion for Easter, retail group says

Consumer spending for the Easter holiday — on apparel, decorations, gifts, candy, food and flowers — is expected to reach $16.4 billion this year, according to a recent trade group report.

Nearly 90 percent of shoppers in a National Retail Federation survey said they will buy candy, spending more than $2.2 billion, while more than 85 percent will buy food, a $5.3 billion category.

Nearly half will buy new outfits, spending nearly $3 billion, according to the survey, conducted for NRF by Prosper Insights & Analytics. Retailers are also expected to do brisk business in gifts, flowers, decorations and greeting cards.

Individually, consumers will likely spend just more than $140, slightly up from $137 last year, the trade group said.

"(This is) one of the busiest times of year for several retail sectors," said Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO.

Baltimore Sun