Father’s Day spending: Eight need-to-know items

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18, and retailers and dads alike will have reason to smile, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).



American adults who plan to consume this holiday will do so in a big way, spending an average of $169.60 at predominantly at physical retailers, according to ICSC’s most recent consumer survey.



Here are eight specific findings:



1. Of those who plan to spend for Father’s Day, 81% will spend on products and goods.



2. The majority (86%) of those who plan to spend on goods for Father’s Day will do so in physical stores. Another 8% will spend at online retailers that have a physical presence.



3. While most consumers will shop in physical stores, they are using digital to make better-informed purchases. More than four in 10 (42%) of those who have spent or will spend on products and goods for Father’s Day will conduct research online prior to making purchases in a store.



4. More than half (53%) of Father’s Day shoppers plan to spend on greeting cards, while 45% of shoppers will purchase gift cards.



5. Additional hot ticket items include clothing (purchased by 42% of shoppers) and personal care products (bought by 27% of shoppers).



6. About one-quarter (26%) of holiday shoppers plan to spend either on specialty food products or alcohol. The same percentage will purchase tools including building materials and gardening supplies.



7. Twenty-three percent of Father’s Day shoppers will spend on electronics and other tech gadgets, while 21% will spend on sporting goods.



8. Fifty-two percent of Father’s Day shoppers spent or will spend on services including full-service restaurants (44%); movies, plays, concerts, or sporting events (20%); other food services (18%); and experiential events such as golf outings, car simulations, cooking classes and music lessons (13%).