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Bummer, dads: A new survey by the National Retail Federation shows that the kids (and others) will spend less on gifts for Father's Day this year than in the recent past. The 2009 Father’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, reveals that Americans will spend an average of $90.89 on Father's Day gifts, down from $94.54 last year.

It appears as if no one is safe from these difficult economic times — even the Easter Bunny. According to the 2009 Easter Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey from the consumer market intelligence firm BIGresearch, Americans will spend an average of $116.59 on Easter candy, gifts, food and decorations this year, down from $135.03 last year.

Although Americans have curtailed spending in many areas as a result of the slumping economy, a recent survey suggests Halloween won’t be one of them. According to the National Retail Federation’s Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average consumer plans to spend $66.54 on the holiday, up from last year’s $64.82. The recent survey polled 8,167 consumers. Here are more of the survey’s findings: * 64.5 percent of consumers surveyed said they plan to celebrate the holiday this year vs. 58.7 percent last year; * total Halloween spending for 2008 is expected to reach $5.77 billion; * respondents plan to

The nation’s economic struggles will take its toll on retailers this coming holiday season, a recent survey showed. According to the Consumer Intentions & Actions survey from the market research firm BIGresearch, 39 percent of consumers intend to spend less this holiday season than they did last year, an 8 percent increase from last year. The recent survey polled more than 7,500 consumers. Here are some more findings of the survey. * 4.7 percent said they plan to spend more on gifts this year compared to last, down from 6.9 percent who said the same last year; * 31.4 percent said they plan to

As gas prices across the nation have begun to decline, consumer confidence in the economy appears to be headed in the other direction — albeit slowly. According to the Consumer Intentions & Actions survey for August, conducted by the marketing research firm BIGresearch, 23.6 percent of respondents are confident/very confident in the chances for a strong economy this month, up from July’s record-low of 18.8 percent. The online survey polled more than 7,500 consumers. Here are some more findings: * 48.6 percent said they’ve become more practical in their purchasing, down from last month (50 percent), but still significantly higher than August ’07 (37.9

While consumers still plan to spend nearly 40 percent of their economic stimulus checks, pumping $42.2 billion back into the economy, what they’re planning to spend them on appears to be shifting from when the bill was signed into law in February. According to the 2008 Tax Rebates Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey from the National Retail Federation, conducted by BIGresearch — which polled 8,347 consumers on how they plan to spend their economic stimulus checks — consumers expect to spend more of their checks on necessities like gas and food rather than on discretionary items such as electronics and apparel. Here are

With the economy continuing to struggle, consumers have tightened their purse strings and opted for practicality over discretionary when it comes to spending. According to the latest American Pulse Survey from BIGresearch, which surveyed 4,055 Americans, 61.7 percent said they’re dining out less to cope with the current economic environment. Here are some more noteworthy findings of the survey. * 57.3 percent of respondents have also cut back on their driving; * 47.4 percent are attending fewer movies; * 46.1 percent are forgoing department stores for discount retailers; * 45.3 percent are cutting back on their vacation budgets; * 67.9 percent say gas prices

Don’t write off the print catalog just yet, because its influence on consumers actually appears to be growing. According to a recent survey from BIGresearch, direct mail influenced the purchase decisions of 22.5 percent of consumers, up 4.6 percent from 2006. The recent survey polled more than 15,000 consumers. Here are some more noteworthy findings of the survey: * Instant messaging’s and blogging’s influences on purchase decisions on electronics grew the most, with instant messaging rising by 22 percent to 7.5 percent of the responding consumers, and blogging up 21.5 percent to 6.1 percent; * the more traditional media of broadcast and cable TV

Just as consumers catch their collective breaths from the recently completed holiday shopping season, the next shopping event is upon them — Valentine’s Day. And it appears many don’t plan on slowing down. According to the 2008 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch for the National Retail Federation, the average consumer plans to spend $122.98 on Valentine’s Day, up slightly from last year’s average of $119.67. The recent survey polled 8,447 consumers. Here are some more noteworthy findings: * total spending on Valentine’s Day is expected to reach $17.02 billion; * adults ages 25 to 34 plan to spend

As the nation’s attention turns to the Super Bowl this weekend, marketers are busy preparing for the subsequent bump in sales associated with the event. According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association’s 2008 Super Bowl Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, consumers plan to spend an average of $59.90 on Super Bowl-related merchandise, up from last year’s $56.04. The game has taken on “unofficial” holiday status, with 158 million people expected to watch this year’s game. The recent survey polled 8,447 consumers on their shopping behaviors and shopping trends related to the Super Bowl. Here are some more noteworthy findings: