Consumers expected to spend less for Easter

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Even the Easter Bunny is cutting back.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend an average of $116.59 on Easter candy, gifts, food and decorations, down from an average of $135.03 last year. Total spending on the holiday is expected to reach $12.73 billion.

Consumers’ largest Easter expense will be preparing a meal, with the average person expected to spend $37.67 on food, down from $41.09 last year. People will also spend less on gifts ($17.30 this year compared with $21.42 last year); flowers ($7.55 this year compared with $9.11 last year); and candy ($16.55 this year compared with $18.12 last year).

-- Andrea Chang