Apr 2, 2010

Retail experts see increase in Easter sales this yearBy Angela SmithAnnArbor.com

Got peeps? How about chocolate bunnies, or Cadbury eggs?

Easter, a Christian holiday that marks new life and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is an end to the long winter. And Easter celebrations – both religious and nonreligious – come with increased spending on candy and other goodies.

In my house some of that money went towards finding just the right peeps for the Ann Arbor Library’s Peeps Contest. Peach colored peeps were my daughters top pick for complimenting farm fresh brown egg shells.

According to National Retail Federation’s 2010 Easter Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, the average person will spend $17.29 on candy, compared to $16.55 last year.

Jim Kimble co-owner of Ann Arbor’s Gji’s Sweet Shoppe, says he has noticed an increase in traffic in the past few weeks.

Gji’s packages Easter Baskets that are ready to go, with 5 or 6 varieties to choose from. Kimble says they also sell many other Easter favorites, but beating out jelly beans and bunnies, this year’s most popular pick seems to be the chocolate eggs.

But candy isn’t the only thing shoppers are buying.

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