Survey: Gift shopping strong in first quarter

MAY 12, 2006 - Stevens, Pa. -- Gift shoppers spent an average of $407 buying gifts in the first quarter of 2006, according to a new study from Unity Marketing.The study finds gift givers spent an average of $168 for holiday purchases and $239 for other occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.

If purchasing continues at this rate, the study finds that shoppers could spend as much as 10 percent more buying gifts in 2006. Last year, gift shoppers spent $1,934 on gifts.For Valentine's Day this year, 67 percent of shoppers bought gifts, spending an average of $121 ($73 more than last year).

The survey expects Mother's Day gifting to increase, with 75 percent of shoppers planning to buy gifts for their mothers (up from 67 percent last year). The study also expects Father's Day gift shopping to increase, with 58 percent of shoppers planning to make a Father's Day gift purchase (up from 48 percent last year).