Dads might get more than just a tie or tool belt this weekend as more people plan to splurge on Father's Day spending, according to National Retail Federation officials.
According to a survey by BIGinsight, Father's Day shopping is projected to increase by 10 percent this year, with the average person spending $117.14 on gifts compared with $106.49 last year.
Shoppers are expected to drop $12.7 billion for their fathers this year, federation officials said.
Although Father's Day spending is still projected to be less than for Mother's Day, when the average consumer spent $152, dads can expect a wider variety of gifts from loved ones. Stores are having sales on items such as patio sets and grills as well as ties and gardening tools, said Matthew Shay, federation president and CEO.
At Pacific View mall in Ventura, stores have been advertising Father's Day sales for weeks, said mall spokeswoman Alice Love.
"Traditionally, Mother's Day would get more attention, but we are seeing more and more families who are planning to celebrate their dads this year," Love said. "This year, I'm seeing more sale signage from retailers participating in Father's Day, and we're seeing a good number of our retailers posting positive numbers. It's not a huge jump, but definitely a step in the positive direction."
Kevin Kildee, owner of Bob Kildee Clothing on North Las Posas Road in Camarillo, said more customers came into his store this year than did last year to take advantage of sales and a wider selection of merchandise.
About 70 percent of the clothing at Kildee's store is for men, from labels such as Reyn Spooner, Tori Richard and Kahala Sportswear. Kildee is selling items at 20 percent to 35 percent off for Father's Day.
"The retail industry has been trending upward for a number of months, so there seems to be a lot more excitement this year," said Kildee, who also is a Camarillo councilman. "We have a lot of new colors and styles, so having new and fresh offerings is always a good thing in our business. I've seen more people coming through the door, which is a pretty accurate sign that the economy is turning around."
While Father's Day sales signs were scarce at the Camarillo Premium Outlets this week, some shoppers took advantage of discounts to buy Father's Day gifts.
Norma Acosta, of Duarte, bought Tommy Hilfiger shirts for her nephew-in-law, who is visiting from Dubai.
"It's my Father's Day present to him," Acosta said. "He picked it out, tried it on, and I paid for it. Men are much easier that way."
With the economy slowly rebounding, more consumers also are looking to ditch the traditional tie or tool belt present and are spending on entertainment or hobby items. According to the survey, people will spend about $2.3 billion this year to take their father out to dinner, a round of golf or a sporting event, compared with $2 billion last year.
James Collis, director of membership at the Wood Ranch Golf Club in Simi Valley, said business has picked up 10 percent to 15 percent leading up to this weekend, with people taking advantage of the club's Father's Day special.
This year's special includes $1,000 off the $3,000 initial deposit and a month-to-month package of $180 to $485.
Collis said he gives an average of eight to 10 tours a week during the year. That has increased by at least four tours each week as family members consider buying a membership for the man of their household.
"When people go out to buy gifts for Father's Day, there is the common choice to buy something like a tie or tools, but this year it seems like more people are willing to go the extra mile and are considering purchasing things like a golf membership," Collis said. "In the past few years, people were affected by the recession and were tightening their budgets, but this year we have seen a lot more of wives coming in to gather information because they know their husband has been wanting to be a member of a private club ... and this is the time when many of them are pulling the trigger."
Shannon Krajewski, of Northridge, was shopping at Camarillo Premium Outlets on Wednesday with her 3-month-old son, Parker. But she wasn't there to buy her husband a gift.
"My husband is not a 'stuff guy,' so I bought him something else I know he would like: concert tickets to the Dave Matthews Band show in September," Krajewski said. "It's also kind of a treat for me because I've never seen them before. Father's Day is about spending time together, and this will be an extension of that."
