Cara Moon and her 5-month-old daughter, Camryn, buy a towel, a pair of golf shoes and a cap at Golfsmith in Chattanooga as a Father’s Day gift for Cara’s husband, Jacob, on Friday.FATHER’S DAY SALES BREAKDOWNThe National Retail Federation projects the average American will spend $117.14 on dad this Father’s Day for a total of more than $12 billion. Here are some of the top spending categories:Special outing – $2.358 billionElectronics – $1.739 billionClothing – $1.711 billionGift certificates – $1.703 billionGreeting cards – $827 millionTools or appliances – $738 millionHome improvement/gardening tools – $729 millionPersonal care – $684 millionBooks or CDs – $645 millionCar accessories – $551 millionSource: National Retail Federation
Every new set of parents must take on feeding and diaper-changing responsibilities, but the slew of new holiday responsibilities can be particularly difficult to master.
“It’s something I never had to think about,” said new mom Cara Moon as she and 5-month-old Camryn shopped for Father’s Day gifts Friday. “Then I thought, ‘Oh no. It’s this weekend.'”
Moon is one of millions of Americans who searched this week for the perfect tie, golf club or gadget to show their fathers and husbands how much they care. Most of the more than $12 billion expected to be spent on dad will go to clothes, electronics, gift cards and special nights out.
Several area businesses are feeling the love. Chris Manning, manager at the Hamilton Place mall Belk, said sales have been stronger so far than in past years.