Ready for sunshine, chocolate eggs and jellybeans, consumers will welcome the Easter Bunny with open arms this year. According to NRF's Easter Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, the average American celebrating the holiday will spend an average of $137.46 on apparel, food, candy, gifts and more, slightly less than the $145.13 spent last year. Total spending is expected to reach $15.9 billion.*

Though fewer Americans will celebrate this year (80.3% vs. 83% last year), families are still looking forward to their traditional Sunday meals. Those who do plan to celebrate will spend the most on a grocery bill for a family dinner or Sunday brunch out; according to the survey, 85.7 percent of those celebrating will spend an average of $43.18 on a holiday meal, totaling $5 billion.
Since the holiday traditionally marks the ceremonial start to spring, 42.9 percent will purchase new spring attire, such as bright Easter dress clothes for their children, spending an average of $22.71; total spending on apparel is expected to reach $2.6 billion. Additionally, nine in 10 (89.3%) of those celebrating will stock up on Easter candy, spending a total of $2.2 billion on their children's favorite sweet treats. Families will also spend on gifts ($2.4 billion), flowers ($1.1 billion) and decorations ($1.1 billion).
 
The survey also found that many will use smartphones or tablets to check off their Easter shopping list. Of those who own smartphones, nearly one in four (23.4%) will use their device to research products or compare prices. Just 12.2 percent will make an actual purchase with their smartphone. Nearly one in five (19.2%) tablet owners will make a purchase on their device, but most will simply research holiday gifts, apparel and other items (30.2%).