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NRF: Father's Day spending up over last year

While Father's Day spending pales in comparison to Mother's Day, the holiday should bring in $12.7 billion.

June 11, 2015

While Father’s Day spending pales in comparison to Mother's Day, the holiday should bring in $12.7 billion, according to NRF’s 2015 Father's Day Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The average person will spend $115.57 on gifts, just a couple dollars more than year's $113.80. The survey found 75.4 percent of Americans said they plan to celebrate Father's Day.

"After a less than stellar first half of the year, retailers are ready to welcome the warm weather and the millions of shoppers that come along with it and kick off the summer spending season just in time for Father's Day," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. "Spending on grilling and patio necessities, pool gear, sporting goods, apparel and other gift and seasonal merchandise could be the positive stepping stone retailers need heading into the second half of the year."

When it comes to gifts for dad, four in 10 (39.7 percent) will purchase apparel items such as a new dress shirt or necktie and will spend a total $1.7 billion overall. Another 43.3 percent will opt for experience gifts, such as tickets to a ballgame or a special meal with the family, spending a total of $2.6 billion.

NRF's 2013 Father's Day spending survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics found the average person planned to spend $119.84 on gifts, nearly even with the $117.14 they planned to spend in 2012; total spending for Father's Day was expected to reach $13.3 billion. Consumers said they would splurge on clothing, electronic items, and special outings. Specifically, the survey found spending on special outings and experience type gifts would reach $2.5 billion, and would top $1.7 billion for spending on electronic gifts such as a tablet or GPS system.  

The survey also found that one in five (19.7 percent) shoppers will pick out new gadgets for dad such as a tablet or smartphone, totaling $1.6 billion. Additionally, four in 10 (39 percent) gift buyers will opt to let dad pick his own gift and will purchase a gift card, spending a total of $1.8 billion. Six in ten (62.2 percent) consumers will thank dad with a greeting card and will spend more than $777 million overall.

People are also spending on home improvement or gardening supplies ($710 million), new tools or appliances ($668 million), personal care items ($684 million), sporting goods or leisure items ($665 million) and books or CDs ($538 million). 

Three in 10 will shop online

Online shoppers plan to spend an average $157 — higher than the typical Father's Day shopper — and nearly four in 10 plan to use their smartphones to research products and compare prices.