Mother's Day Spending Expected to Reach Record $38 Billion Amid Rising Costs
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Consumer spending for Mother's Day is forecast to reach a record $38 billion this year, an 11% increase from last year's record. While flowers remain the most popular gift, shoppers are seeking promotions and lower-cost options as prices for flowers and dining out have risen. Restaurants are seeing strong reservation numbers, and many florists are offering more value-focused arrangements.
Facts First
- Mother's Day spending is projected to hit a record $38 billion, an 11% increase from 2023.
- Flowers are the most popular gift, with 75% of shoppers expected to buy them despite a 16% year-over-year price increase.
- Shoppers are seeking value, with 43% looking for promotions and 26% planning to switch to lower-priced products.
- Restaurant reservations are trending up significantly, with some platforms reporting increases of nearly 30% compared to last year.
- Many florists are offering value-focused options like smaller arrangements, and two-thirds expect sales to increase or remain steady.
What Happened
The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasts Mother's Day spending will reach a record $38 billion this year, an 11% increase from last year's record of $35.7 billion. Flowers are the most popular gift category, with 75% of shoppers expected to purchase them. However, flower prices have increased by 16% from a year ago, driven by tariffs on imports and higher air-freight costs. Restaurant reservations are also trending up strongly, with platforms like Resy reporting bookings up nearly 30% compared to the same time last year.
Why this Matters to You
If you are shopping for Mother's Day, you may notice higher prices for popular gifts like flowers and jewelry. You might find yourself seeking out promotions or coupons, as 43% of shoppers plan to do, or considering lower-priced gifts and quality-time experiences. Dining out for a celebration could cost more, with the average restaurant bill expected to be around $67 and the overall cost of dining out having risen 3.8% in the past year. However, you could find some relief in value-focused offerings from florists, such as smaller arrangements, and in the fact that grocery costs are rising at half the rate of dining-out costs.
What's Next
The strong reservation trends suggest restaurants are likely to have a busy Mother's Day. Florists appear prepared for demand, with two-thirds expecting sales to increase or remain steady. Consumer spending patterns this holiday could provide an early signal of broader spending resilience in the face of persistent inflation for certain goods and services.