Which Mother’s Day gifts offer the most bang for the buck to shoppers? According to data insights culled from Catalina’s Shopper Intelligence Platform, the gift categories for the May 14 holiday least affected by inflation are sparkling wine and scented candles, whose prices increased 5 percent and 7 percent, respectively, during the first quarter of 2023 versus a year earlier.
“Inflation isn’t impacting the major Mother’s Day gift categories equally,” said Sean Murphy, Catalina’s Chief Data & Analytics Officer. “For example, the cost of premium box candy, cut flowers and fragrances are all trending higher than the Consumer Price Index’s 8 percent rate of inflation for grocery store purchases in March 2023.”
Specifically, premium boxes of candy cost 18 percent more than they did for the same period in 2022, rising to an average price of $4.18. At $19.55, grocery bouquets of cut flowers are the most expensive option, up 10 percent over 2022. Prices of fragrances have increased 11 percent and cost on average $17.23.
The dollars at stake in the coming days leading up to the holiday are huge for retailers. The National Retail Federation expects U.S. shoppers to spend a total of $35.7 billion on Mother’s Day this year. The holiday is the second most popular gift-giving day in the U.S., behind Christmas.
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Closing With Confidence: How Bailey's Fine Jewelry Achieved Outstanding Results With Wilkerson
When Trey Bailey, President and CEO of Bailey's Fine Jewelry, decided to close the Crabtree location in Raleigh, North Carolina after 15 years, he knew the decision needed to be handled with intention and professionalism. The goal was clear: exit the location while maintaining financial strength and honoring the store's legacy.
Having worked with Wilkerson successfully in the past, Bailey understood the value of their comprehensive approach. "They understood both the emotional and financial sides of the store closing sale," Trey explains. "Their reputation for professionalism, results and care made it a very easy decision."
The results exceeded expectations. Wilkerson helped Bailey's sell through significant inventory while maintaining the dignity of the closing process. "They don't just run a sale, they help close a chapter in the best way possible," Bailey says, strongly recommending Wilkerson to any jeweler facing a similar transition.