Father's Day shoppers head for stores

The National Retail Federation’s “2007 Father’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey”, conducted in May, found that $9.9 billion will be spent in the U.S. on gifts for Father’s Day. Over 50 percent of shoppers surveyed intended to purchase a gift for their father with the average spend up almost $10 per person on 2006, at $98.34.

While the internet will attract 18.7 percent of Father's Day shoppers it’s a long way behind bricks and mortar businesses. Over 34.2 percent plan to shop at a department store, 29.6 percent will go to a gift or electricals store and 28.7 percent a discount store.

The survey appears to indicate that consumers aren’t being put off by high gas prices and are prepared to travel to the stores. "Gas prices have little effect on what consumers spend for those who matter most,” said Tracy Mullin of the NRF, via eMarketer.

Tags: Father's Day, National Retail Federation, online shopping