Mother's Day is only a couple of days away and mothers are anticipating that special gift, but retailers are hoping for something extra, too, this year. Spending on Mother's Day gifts is expected to go up by 14 percent from last year, reaching $18.6 billion, according to the National Retail Federation's 2012 Mother's Day consumer spending survey.

The average person shopping for Mother's Day will fork out a total of about $153 on gifts, up from $140 last year. Men will spend $72 more on the women in their lives than women spend.

Although the Florida Retail Federation doesn't track local data, spokesman John Fleming said things are looking up for Florida retailers too this week.

"I would expect that we're going to see a pretty healthy increase from last year," he said. "It's a sign, really, that the economy is improving, that people are less worried about losing their jobs and just generally feeling better about the economy overall."

Small businesses are a go-to place for gift-hunters this year, according to a FedEx survey on U.S. consumers' Mother's Day shopping plans. Of those surveyed, 84 percent believed gifts available at boutiques and small retailers are more unique and personal.

A lot of businesses in Polk could definitely benefit from the increased spending, said Amy Wiggins, spokeswoman for the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce.

"We're certainly excited about the prospect of increased spending, and the economy is looking much better than it has in the past and our goal and our hope is that the majority of that spending is done here in town and not online," she said.

Businesses are offering special deals on everything from clothing and electronics to restaurants and spa treatments.

By Elvina Nawaguna
THE LEDGER
http://www.theledger.com/article/20120510/NEWS/120519926/1178?Title=Remembering-Mom-Retailers-Expecting-a-Boost-in-Mother-s-Day-Spending-