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July 4 holiday consumer spend reflects healthy growth spurt

Consumers will spend more on July 4 food celebrations this year than they did last year, with total spend on food items expected to hit $6.6 billion.

June 29, 2015

Consumers will spend more on July 4 celebrations this upcoming weekend than they did last year, with total spend on food items for the summer holiday event expected to hit $6.6 billion.

A survey reveals the average spend will be $71.23 per household, a healthy jump from $68.16 in 2014, with more than 156 million consumers, nearly two thirds of those planning to celebrate the federal holiday, attending a picnic, barbeque or cookout.

"The busiest half of the year for retailers is about to begin, and with economic conditions swaying in consumers' favor more so this year than last, many seem eager to take advantage of retailers' promotions," said National Retail Federation President and CEO Mathew Shay, in an announcement regarding the Independence day consumer activity. The report, the National Retail Federation's 2015 Independence Day Survey, was conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics,

The study also notes more than 48 million consumers will be shopping retailers for apparel, decoration and other July 4- related gear and notes 42.6 percent, or 103 million celebrants, will attend a fireworks display or community celebration, and 11.5 percent, about 27 million of those celebrating, will watch a parade. The holiday weekend is also a popular time for travel and vacations as more than 33 million Americans, about 9 percent, plan to head out of town.

When asked about the impact gas prices will have on their spending, nearly eight in 10 (78 percent) say the price of gas will not impact their spending for the weekend, up from 70.1 percent who said so last year.

The poll of 6,431 consumers was conducted from June 2-9, 2015.