Record consumer spending expected for Easter

Nevadans plan to spend freely for the upcoming Easter holiday.

According to estimates from the Retail Association of Nevada, Nevadans are expected to spend a record $261.6 million on Easter this year, a 7.4 percent increase compared to $243.6 million last year.

Easter meals will lead the way in Silver State spending with an estimated $83.5 million, followed by clothing ($45.7 million), gifts ($41.5 million), candy ($36.8 million) and flowers ($18.4 million), according to RAN. Easter decorations will take in $14.6 million, with greeting cards ($11.3 million) and miscellaneous items ($9.7 million) rounding out the spending.

“Average Easter spending rebounded in 2015 after falling 5.3 percent in 2014. Substantial gains are anticipated once again in 2016 as spending is expected to reach the highest level in the NRF survey’s 13-year history,” Bryan Wachter, senior vice president of RAN, said in a statement.

These predictions are based on a recent survey by the National Retail Federation that found 80.6 percent of consumers nationwide plan to celebrate Easter this year.

According to the National Retail Federation, celebrants will spend an average of $146 on holiday items this year compared to $140.62 last year. Additionally, total spending nationwide is expected to increase year-over-year to a record $17.3 billion.

Candy is the most popular spending category, as consumers will buy $2.4 billion worth of chocolate bunnies, jelly beans and marshmallow chicks, according to the federation.

Other popular categories include gifts, greeting cards and clothing with consumers nationwide expected to spend $2.7 billion, $747 million and $3.0 billion on these items.

The discount store remains the most popular shopping destination, with 58.4 percent of celebrants planning to go there for supplies.

“Shoppers are feeling the optimism and revitalization of the spring season and the accompanying warm weather, which bodes well for retailers this Easter,” Wachter said in the statement.

Contact Raven Jackson at rjackson@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @ravenmjackson.