Americans expected to scrimp a bit on Father’s Day

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Despite the recession, dads can still expect dinner and neckties for Father’s Day this year.

According to a National Retail Federation survey, Americans are expected to spend an average of $90.89 on gifts for dad this year, down slightly from $94.54 in 2008. Total spending is expected to reach $9.4 billion.

The survey found that people will spend the most ($1.9 billion) on special outings such as dinner or a sporting event, but clothing still ranks high among gift-givers, who are expected to shell out $1.3 billion on new socks, slacks and ties. Others will treat dad to a gift card ($1.2 billion), electronics ($1 billion) books or CDs ($548 million), home improvement items ($522 million) and sporting goods ($502 million).

‘Along with the usual ties, gift-givers will be looking into items that dad can enjoy with the whole family,” saidTracy Mullin, president of the National Retail Federation. “Retailers will offer specials on new grill sets, sporting and gardening equipment and even electronics as the holiday rolls around.”

Discount stores and department stores will be popular shopping destinations this Father’s Day as 33.9% of Americans plan on shopping at discounters and 33.7% will shop at department stores. Others will head to electronics and home improvement stores (26.8%), online (17.9%), specialty clothing stores (6.1%) or buy from a catalog (2.8%).

When it comes to who is getting gifts this year, the majority of people said they will buy only for their father/stepfather (51.1%). Husbands (28.6%), sons (7.6%), grandfathers (4.7%) and brothers (5.1%) will also see gifts from family members.

-- Andrea Chang