Displaying items by tag: Holiday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 29, 2015
CONTACT: James Miller, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (850) 701-3015

Due to lower gas prices and energy costs, Floridians have more money in their pockets and are eager to spend it on patriotic merchandise, events and food

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The good news for Florida’s retailers continues as the Florida Retail Federation (FRF), the state’s premier trade association representing retailers for over 75 years, says that spending on 2015 Independence Day-themed events, food and merchandise will eclipse last year’s. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2015 Independence Day Survey, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, nearly two thirds of those celebrating (64.4 percent) are planning to take part in the patriotic holiday by attending a cookout, picnic or barbecue, spending an average of $71.23 per household, up from $68.16 last year. Total spending on food items for the holiday is estimated to reach $6.6 billion.

“With Florida’s economy continuing to strengthen and more Floridians with extra money in their pockets, Sunshine State retailers are looking at a very productive and successful holiday shopping weekend,” said FRF President/CEO Rick McAllister. “Families are proud to celebrate the red, white and blue with patriotic supplies, gifts and plenty of food.”

When it comes to shopping for new Independence Day merchandise, though many already have all the patriotic gear they need, more than 48 million consumers – 22.8 percent – will hit the stores looking for decorations, apparel and more to celebrate in style.

The survey found 42.6 percent, or 103 million celebrants, will attend a fireworks display or community celebration, and 11.5 percent – 27 million of those celebrating, will watch a parade. The holiday weekend is also a popular time for travel and vacations as more than 33 million Americans say they will head out of town.

When asked about the impact gas prices will have on their spending, nearly eight in 10 (78 percent) say that the price of gas will not impact their spending for the holiday weekend, up from 70.1 percent who said so last year.

The NRF 2015 Independence Day Spending Survey was designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to the Independence Day holiday. The survey was conducted for NRF by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The poll of 6,431 consumers was conducted from June 2-9, 2015.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION
The Florida Retail Federation is the statewide trade association representing retailers – the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Florida retailers provide one out of every five jobs in the state, pay more than $49 billion in wages annually, and collect and remit more than $20 billion in sales taxes for Florida’s government each year. For more information, visit the FRF website, and follow FRF on Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION
As the world's largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, the National Retail Federation's global membership includes retailers of all sizes, formats and channels of distribution as well as chain restaurants and industry partners from the U.S. and more than 45 countries abroad. In the U.S., NRF represents the breadth and diversity of an industry with more than 1.6 million American companies that employ nearly 25 million workers and generated 2010 sales of $2.4 trillion. www.nrf.com.

For Immediate Release: June 24, 2015
CONTACT: James Miller This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (850)701-3015

Recently expanded 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday comes at right time, with 30 percent of families expecedt to increase spending on school supplies in 2015; More parents to comparison shop for best deals

TALLAHASSEE, FL– With the recent positive news that Florida’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday was included in the state’s final budget and expanded to a record ten days, the Florida Retail Federation (FRF), the state’s premier trade association representing retailers for over 75 years, says Florida families expect to increase their spending on school supplies this year, meaning good things are in store for Florida retailers.

“Thanks to the commitment of both the Florida legislature and Governor Scott on expanding the back-to-school sales tax holiday, the timing couldn’t be better as Florida families will see extended savings while retailers can expect increased sales,” said FRF President/CEO Rick McAllister. “Families are already starting to prepare for the upcoming school year, and this annual back-to-school shopping season is the second busiest behind only the winter holidays in terms of sales.”

According to the National Retail Federations’ Retail Insight Center Monthly Consumer Survey of more than 6,400 adults, 29 percent of households with school-age kids plan to spend more than last year for back-to-school, compared with nearly 24 percent who said the same thing this time last year. As for college students and their families, nearly three in 10 plan to spend more this summer, up from 23 percent last year.

The positive uptick in planned spending means that retailers’ back-to-school season could bring a welcome boost in sales after a disappointing first half of the year. Regardless of their spending plans this summer, the economy is still top of mind for some families, especially when it comes to making sure their children have what they need for the school year.

Among those who say the economy will impact their back-to-school and college spending plans, 32 percent of college shoppers plan to comparison shop online to make sure they get the best bang for their buck, up from nearly 28 percent last year. More than 31 percent of school shoppers will compare prices online, compared with nearly 30 percent last year.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION
The Florida Retail Federation is the statewide trade association representing retailers -- the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Florida retailers provide one out of every five jobs in the state, pay more than $49 billion in wages annually, and collect and remit more than $20 billion in sales taxes for Florida’s government each year.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION
As the world's largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, the National Retail Federation's global membership includes retailers of all sizes, formats and channels of distribution as well as chain restaurants and industry partners from the U.S. and more than 45 countries abroad. In the U.S., NRF represents the breadth and diversity of an industry with more than 1.6 million American companies that employ nearly 25 million workers and generated 2010 sales of $2.4 trillion. www.nrf.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2015
CONTACT: James Miller, Communications Director | (321)229-9266 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Continuing improvement of economy means more will be spent on fathers this year than last; clothing, tickets to events and technology are the most popular options.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Retail Federation (FRF), the state’s premier trade association representing retailers for over 75 years, says Florida fathers can expect to receive more in gifts this year than last. According to the National Retail Federations’ 2015 Father’s Day Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, the average person will spend $115.57 on gifts, up from last year’s $113.80.

“With the summer shopping season here, Father’s Day looks to be a great kick off for Florida retailers statewide,” said FRF President/CEO Rick McAllister. “And with families expected to spend more money, fathers will have a day to remember.”

Father’s Day may not be the most lucrative consumer holiday of the year for retailers, but spending for dad is expected to reach $12.7 billion for golf lessons, home improvement tools, coffee mugs and more. When it comes to gifts for dad, four in ten (39.7%) will purchase apparel items such as a new dress shirt or necktie and will spend a total $1.7 billion overall. Another 43.3 percent will opt for experience gifts, such as tickets to a ballgame or a special meal with the family, spending a total of $2.6 billion.

The survey also found that one in five (19.7%) shoppers will pick out new gadgets for dad such as a tablet or smartphone, totaling $1.6 billion. Additionally, four in 10 (39%) gift buyers will opt to let dad pick his own gift and will purchase a gift card, spending a total of $1.8 billion. Six in ten (62.2%) consumers will thank dad with a greeting card and will spend more than $777 million overall.

Loved ones will also spend on home improvement or gardening supplies ($710 million), new tools or appliances ($668 million), personal care items ($684 million), sporting goods or leisure items ($665 million) and books or CDs ($538 million).

ABOUT THE FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION
The Florida Retail Federation is the statewide trade association representing retailers -- the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Florida retailers provide one out of every five jobs in the state, pay more than $49 billion in wages annually, and collect and remit more than $20 billion in sales taxes for Florida’s government each year.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION
As the world's largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, the National Retail Federation's global membership includes retailers of all sizes, formats and channels of distribution as well as chain restaurants and industry partners from the U.S. and more than 45 countries abroad. In the U.S., NRF represents the breadth and diversity of an industry with more than 1.6 million American companies that employ nearly 25 million workers and generated 2010 sales of $2.4 trillion. www.nrf.com.