Easter spending: Peter Cottontail is on a budget

WASHINGTON — Americans will celebrate Easter in style and on budget this year, according to the National Retail Foundation’s Easter Spending Survey.

Still big business

Keeping cost and their shopping list in mind, the average person celebrating Easter will spend approximately $145.13 on candy, decor, apparel and food, flat with last year’s $145.28. Total spending will reach an estimated $17.2 billion.

The survey found much of consumers’ budgets will go towards food for a family brunch or dinner: 86.9 percent of those celebrating Easter will spend an average of $45.26 on items needed for their holiday meal.

Easter bonnets

Traditionally known as the kickoff to spring, many will specifically set out to purchase new spring attire. Nearly half (48.4 percent) will purchase clothing this Easter, spending an average of $25.91 on bright new outfits for their children and even something new for themselves.

And, nine in 10 (90.5 percent) will stock up on Easter candy, spending an average of $20.66 on jelly beans, chocolate and more.

Additionally, consumers will spend an average of $20.82 on gifts, $9.49 on flowers and $9.11 on decorations.

Keeping price in mind

When it comes to where people will shop for their Easter needs, the survey found families will shop for price and value. Most people (63.4 percent) will shop at discount stores and four in 10 (40.7 percent) will shop at their favorite department store.

Others will shop at specialty stores (24.9 percent), online (21.1 percent) and specialty clothing stores (10.6 percent).

“While many of today’s consumers are coping with tight budgets, the Easter Bunny isn’t headed toward retirement in 2013,” said BIGinsight Consumer Insights Director Pam Goodfellow. “Look for cost-conscious parents to scope the sale racks, head to discounters, and clip coupons to keep spending on track.”