NRF: Spending to Increase for Easter 2011

According to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2011 Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average consumer is expected to spend $131.04 on everything from candy to clothes this Easter—up from $118.60 in 2010. Total spending on Easter-related merchandise is expected to reach $14.6 billion. Food and candy will account for most consumers' budgets, bringing in $2.1 billion in candy sales and $4.5 billion in food sales alone. The average person will spend slightly more on each than they did in 2010—$18.55 on candy, compared to $17.29 last year, and $40.05 on food, up from $37.45 last