May 2, 2009

Mother’s Day spending expected to fall this year, but retailers say Southeast Texas sales are strongBy Heather NolanBeaumontEnterprise.com

Cambie Jenkins and Gina Savoie, two designers at Forever Yours Florist in Beaumont, expect to spend the next week knee-deep in twigs and flower petals.

The two will be working extra hours to fill the hundreds of Mother’s Day orders they’ve already started to get, and also to make sure the store has pre-made arrangements on hand for those who need last-minute bouquets.

According to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Mother’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, about 67 percent of people will spend $1.9 billion on flowers for Mother’s Day.

Keisha Roundtree, manager at Forever Yours Florist, said Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day are the store’s two busiest holidays, and that she expects to be taking calls for bouquet orders until they close on Saturday.

The National Retail Federation’s survey showed that Americans will spend an average of $123.89 per person, compared to last year’s $138.63.

Total Mother’s Day spending should reach $14.10 billion, which is slightly more than Easter.

Roundtree said the number of orders the floral shop has taken so far for Mother’s Day show that Southeast Texas consumers have no plans to cut back on spending for mom this year.

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