Mother's Day Worth $15.7 Billion to Retailers
 Dave Burge - El Paso Times
| | Florists see a spike in business for Mother's Day in Mexico, which is observed May 10, and for the U.S. observance of Mother's Day, which will be celebrated May 13. (Rudy Gutierrez/El Paso Times) |
El Paso, TX - Local and national retailers are counting on U.S. consumers to express their love for mom by spending some money.
The National Retail Federation forecasts that consumers will spend $15.73 billion on Mother's Day this year, up from the estimated $13.83 billion spent in 2006.
"When it comes to mom, consumers just don't hold back," retail federation spokeswoman Megan Zatko said.
Mother's Day has a broad economic impact and benefits department stores, discounters, restaurants, specialty retailers, such as jewelers and florists, and even electronics stores, she said.
Mother's Day is the second Sunday in May, which is May 13 this year. In Mexico, Dia de las Madres or Mexican Mother's Day is always on May 10.
Many local businesses say the bicultural nature of the Borderland gives Mother's Day added zing.
Westsider Emmanuel Ortega, a junior at the University of Texas at El Paso, celebrates both days and will spend $1,500 to $2,000 on his mother.
He plans to take her out for lunch on U.S. Mother's Day and again for dinner with his extended family.
On Mexican Mother's Day, he will give her a prepaid voucher for a cruise to the Bahamas. Ortega saved for two years to pay for the trip, he said.
"It's a time for me to thank my mother for giving birth to me and giving us the education she is giving us, not just at school but at home," Ortega said. "She's been a great mentor."
Westsider Alexandra Swann, vice president of Frontier 2000 Mortgage & Loan, says she'll spend $250 to $300 on Mother's Day. She usually makes a special meal at home for her mother and buys her flowers, candy and a gift card for a department store.
"It's the one day set aside to honor the person who raised you, took care of you, taught you how to walk, taught you everything," Swann said.
The average U.S. consumer will spend $139.14, according to the retail federation.
Mother's Day is also the most popular day to eat out each year with an estimated 38 percent of Americans going to a restaurant, according to the National Restaurant Association.
The restaurant association did not have any dollar figures available, but the retail federation estimates that U.S. consumers will spend $3.1 billion in restaurants while celebrating Mother's Day this year.
Gary Helsten, owner of Jaxon's Restaurants & Brewing Co., says he expects to double his sales on Mexican Mother's Day compared with an average day and triple his sales on U.S. Mother's Day compared with a typical Sunday.
"It makes for a great week," said Helsten, who has four restaurants in El Paso.
Leo Duran Sr., co-owner of L&J Cafe and president of the El Paso Restaurant Association, says Mother's Day is a very important event for the restaurant industry, at least the eateries that are open that day.
"It rates right up there with Valentine's Day," he said. "I encourage you to get your reservations in at your favorite restaurant so you get in on time."
Duran says his restaurant has been closed Sundays since 1976. As for Mexican Mother's Day, he doesn't see much of an impact when the event falls on a weekday, such as this year when it's on a Thursday.
"If it's on a Saturday, we do see a difference," Duran said.
Fifi Heller-Kaim, owner of Kern Place Florist, says Mother's Day is the "top holiday" for the floral industry.
"It's above Christmas, Valentine's Day, everything," she said. "It is the holiday."
Having a successful Mother's Day is crucial for florists, Heller-Kaim said.
"Traditionally, the summer months are slow in the floral industry," she said. "Having this big push before summer begins is very helpful to the bottom line."
Zonia Limon, owner of Floral Expressions in Central El Paso, however, says Mother's Day is her second busiest time of the year, behind Valentine's Day.
"Mexican Mother's Day is just as busy as the American," Limon said. "Being so close to the border, it's crazy. It's a tradition to buy your mom flowers."
Pat Goff, president of Pat Goff's Appliance & TV Warehouse, expects to see a 10 percent increase in sales during the two weeks leading up to Mother's Day.
"A lot of family members will go together and buy an appliance for mom," Goff said.
Renι Flores, co-owner of Flores Jewelers on the East Side, says Mother's Day is tied with Valentine's Day as his second busiest time of the year, behind the winter holidays.
Flores has seen an increase in sales and orders, but expects to get busier by the end of this month.
Mother's Day is also a strong retail event for chain stores.
Mervyns at Bassett Place does a "very strong business" for both the U.S. and Mexican celebrations, store manager Daphne Furgerson said.
"We get the benefit of both dates along the border," she said.
Jewelry, women's accessories, clothing and picture frames are the big sellers, she said. She expects to start seeing an increase in sales this week.
Travis Newman, an assistant manager for the Bassett Place Target store, says his store also sees an increase in sales from both celebrations.
"That affects our store tremendously because we're so close to the border," he said.
Clothing, jewelry, CDs and DVDs sell well, he said.
Elaine Rosen, owner of West Side gift store More Than Baskets!, says she sees an increase in sales, too.
"But it's not as strong as some of the other holidays like Easter and Valentine's Day," she said. "Everyone has to get a gift for their mother, so it's a good retail holiday. If you don't get something for mom, you're in trouble."
Dave Burge may be reached at dburge@elpasotimes.com
Mom has clout
Consumers will spend $15.73 billion on Mother's Day this year, up from the $13.83 billion spent in 2006.
The average consumer plans to spend $139.14, up from $122.16 last year.
Consumers will spend nearly $1.6 billion on clothes and accessories, $2.1 billion on jewelry, $2.3 billion on flowers and $3.1 billion on dinner or brunch at a restaurant.
Source: National Retail Federation. |
Vallarta Weddings
Business News | April 2007 
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us