Businesses prep for a slightly slower Mother’s Day

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The estimated 83 million mothers in the U.S. will be getting smaller and cheaper gifts on Sunday, but -- we hope -- no less love.

Americans are expected to spend an average of $123.89 a person on Mother’s Day, down from $138.63 last year, according to a National Retail Federation survey.

More than 80% of Americans celebrate Mother’s Day, and most will buy presents for their mothers, stepmothers or wives. They’ll try to save money by cutting out goodies for their daughters, friends and godmothers.

But total spending for the holiday, estimated at $14.10 billion, should exceed the money dropped on Easter. In a thrifty mindset, 30% of shoppers will visit discount stores.

Flowers will dominate the purchases, with nearly 67% of consumers putting down $1.9 billion on the blooms. Another $2.7 billion will go to dinners or brunches, an option for nearly 55% of Mother’s Day celebrants.

Retailers also can expect $2.3 billion to be spent on jewelry, $1.5 billion on gift cards, $1.2 billion for clothing and accessories and $1.1 billion on personal services such as spa treatments. Consumers also will focus hundreds of millions of dollars on electronics, housewares and books.

For FedEx Corp., Mother’s Day ranks with the December holiday season and Valentine’s Day as one of the year’s busiest delivery times. Express deliveries boom about 10% between April 27 and May 9.

If you want your mother to actually receive your gift(s) in time, today is last day to ship using FedEx Ground. Use FedEx Express by Friday.

That new refrigeration unit at LAX, covered by Nathan Olivarez-Giles in early April, should come in handy right about now.

-- Tiffany Hsu