Easter 2017 Is Expected To Bring Record U.S. Spending

According to the National Retail Federation's annual survey on Easter spending, Americans are going to splurge a record $18.4 billion this year. That's a 6 percent increase on 2016's $17.3 billion. This year's holiday falls later than last year, a key reason for the uptake in expenditure. Consumers have a whole extra month to purchase chocolate eggs, cards and decorations, as well as warmer weather to look forward to.

81.3 percent of people in the U.S. plan to celebrate the holiday this year with individual spending amounting to $152 on average. As expected, candy is going to be at the top of everyone's shopping list with 89 percent of Americans saying they plan to buy some. Interestingly, people still prefer shipping at bricks and mortar stores for all their Easter needs. This year, 58.3 percent of consumers will shop at a discount store compared to just 26.8 percent who will shop online.