Apr 17, 2011

Retailers Expect A Happy EasterBy Ginger ChristBizJournals.com

Even though Easter falls later on the calendar this year — April 24 — retailers are expecting to see sales hopping.

Total Easter spending is expected to increase 13 percent to $14.7 billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2011 Easter Consumer Intentions and Actions survey. Of that, food and candy will represent 45 percent of spending, with a projected $4.5 billion being spent on food and $2.1 billion on candy.

Purchases of clothing and gifts also are expected to be on the rise. Retail clothing sales could jump as much as 14 percent this Easter, with total spending topping $2.4 billion. And gift purchases — those seasonal items used to fill Easter baskets — are expected to climb 10 percent to $2.2 billion.

The average consumer is predicted to spend $131 dollars, up 10 percent from $119 in 2010.

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