CONSUMER BRIEFS / HOLIDAYS

Easter celebrations will involve less candy, flowers and decorations this year as consumers cut spending amid a global recession.

Consumers plan to spend an average of $116.59 on the Easter holiday this year, 14% less than last year, according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation and BIGresearch. Total spending will decline 12% to $12.7 billion from last year’s $14.4 billion. Shoppers will spend 8.3% less this year on food, the biggest category of Easter purchases, the NRF said.

Easter is April 12 this year, three weeks later than last year. The shift into warmer weather and more lead time for retailers to prepare promotions may entice more people to spend more, said Phil Rist, an executive vice president at BIGresearch.

The survey polled 8,498 consumers March 3-10. The margin of error was plus or minus 1 percentage point.