Jun 12, 2007

Boys & toys: Consumers expected to spend $9.9B on Father’s Day giftsBy LaRaye BrownClarionLedger.com

Father’s Day for Ron Bean has included a few ties and a screwdriver, all things he’s gotten rid of.”Father’s Day has come a long way,” the Dallas resident said while strolling around downtown Jackson on Monday afternoon. “Mommies have always had their day.”He and other men may be in luck this year. The National Retail Federation forecasts Father’s Day spending will ring in at $9.9 billion. Survey respondents reported they would spend an average of $98.34 on Dad, compared to the $88.80 spent last year.Greeting cards, however, are expected to remain the most popular item.This year’s total continues a trend. Back in 2005, NRF forecast Father’s Day spending of $8.23 billion. The following year, consumers were expected to shell out $9 billion for Dad.Bill Smith, a marketing professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, credits fatherly affinity for electronics with pushing the total higher.NRF is predicting 17.8 percent of Father’s Day shoppers will opt for electronics or computer-related items, up from 15 percent last year.

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