Spending for Mother's Day up this year

WASHINGTON, May 11 (UPI) -- Mother's Day spending is expected to increase by 8 percent from last year, a U.S. survey found.

The National Retail Federation survey of 8,700 consumers indicated that spending for Mother's Day -- Sunday --will total about $18.6 billion.

On average, $152 per mom is expected to be spent and that category includes grandmothers aunts and daughters, USA Today reported Friday.

"Mother's Day has become a more wide-reaching event," said Robert Passikoff, president of customer loyalty consulting firm Brand Keys.

That makes the day a "real opportunity for retail," he said.