Spending on Father's Day this year is anticipated to reach $9.0 billion, up from last year's $8.2 billion, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2006 Father's Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch. The average person is expected to spend $88.80 on gifts for fathers, compared to the $122.16 spent earlier this year for mothers.

While last year consumers clung to big-boxes (36.8%) for Father's Day needs, this year they will shop at department (32%) and specialty stores (30.6%) instead of discounters (29.7%), NRF said. Other popular locations will include specialty clothing stores (6%), online shops (15%) and catalog orders (3%).

“In spite of higher gas prices, lower consumer confidence, and inflation concerns, shoppers are still opening their wallets for what's really important,” said NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin. “Because retailers across all channels and formats have something to gain from Father's Day spending, we expect the holiday to be quite promotional this year.”

Most fathers will receive a greeting card, with almost 69% of consumers expected to purchase at least one card for Father's Day. Two other favorites for fathers this year are gift certificates (27%), and special meals or outings (38.1%). Other popular categories include clothing (32%), books or CDs (22.3%), electronics or computer accessories (15%), home improvement or gardening tools (10.9%), sporting goods or leisure items (9.1%) and tools or appliances (11.2%).

Women are the lead spenders for this holiday, NRF said, with average per-person spending anticipated to reach $90.41, about the same as 2005 spending ($91.46). Men will shell out approximately $87.07 for fathers this year, slightly higher than the $79.42 last year.

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