Easter spending may reach $14.6B
BY SANDRA GUY BUSINESS REPORTER/sguy@suntimes.com
The latest Easter in 68 years has Americans hopping to fill their Easter baskets, with average spending forecast at $131.04 — up from last year’s $118.60 but less than pre-recession levels, the National Retail Federation said in a report being released today.
Total spending is expected to reach $14.6 billion, up from last year’s $13 billion and topping the $14.37 billion recorded in 2007, on everything from chocolate bunnies to new Sunday suits and dresses.
Candy and food sales will top the spending, for a combined $6.6 billion, followed by new clothing at $2.4 billion and gifts at $2.2 billion.
Easter typically ranks fourth among major holiday spending after Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.
