CINCINNATI — Some moms might not be getting both chocolates and a bouquet for Mother’s Day as consumers watch their spending. Even businesses that traditionally benefit from the holiday, such as florists and restaurants, are pushing special offers and products.
Analysts don’t expect a dramatic drop in Mother’s Day spending — which ranks fourth behind the winter holidays, back-to-school buying and Valentine’s Day — but think it will be lighter despite the extra cash some consumers have from their tax refunds and stimulus payments.
“I’d be very surprised if there’s any big jump in spending, and I’d be surprised if rebates get earmarked for Mother’s Day,” said Ken Perkins, president of research firm Retail Metrics LLC. He thinks spending will probably be about flat for Mother’s Day.
With middle- and lower- income consumers especially feeling the pinch from rising food and gas prices, mothers might be the ones urging their loved ones to scale back.
Rosalie Pryor of Cincinnati told her 11 children just to get her cards this year instead of flowers and gifts. “Some of them are working two jobs just to take care of their families,” Pryor said. The Associated Press
