Mother’s Day 2026 Spending Soars to $34B: A Big Opportunity for Local Businesses

This Mother’s Day, Americans are expected to spend a staggering $34.1 billion, just shy of the record-breaking $35.7 billion seen in 2023. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 84% of U.S. adults plan to celebrate the holiday, with average spending per person estimated at $259.04—a modest increase from the previous year. This rise in average spending highlights ongoing trends in consumer spending and total spending for Mother’s Day 2026, as shoppers continue to prioritize meaningful gifts and experiences.

Consumer spending for Mother’s Day continues to rise, with total spending projected at $34.1 billion, reflecting ongoing enthusiasm for the holiday.

For small business owners—especially brick-and-mortar shops, florists, restaurants, bakeries, and boutiques—this is not just good news. It’s a golden opportunity. With thoughtful planning and the right payment tools in place, these businesses can cash in on the surge of holiday spending.

The Breakdown: Where Consumer Spending Is Going

Consumers this year are choosing gifts that make a statement. Here’s what the NRF reports:

• 74% will buy flowers

• 73% plan to give greeting cards

• 61% are planning a special outing (think brunch, spa days, or a nice dinner)

Other popular categories include jewelry, electronics, apparel, clothing, flowering houseplants, and personal services.

Cut flowers remain a top gift, with Americans expected to spend around $3.2 billion on flowers alone for the holiday. Jewelry is another leading category, with total spending forecast at $6.8 billion, while gift cards are expected to account for $3.5 billion in sales. Special outings such as meals out or day trips are significant, totaling $6.3 billion in expected spending. Artisanal craft items and subscription services are among the fastest-growing and high-margin segments for Mother’s Day gifts.

Retailers are curating multiple product categories and managing inventory to create compelling Mother’s Day gifts and maximize sales. Nearly half of consumers (48%) prioritize finding a unique or different gift for Mother’s Day, while 42% seek gifts that create lasting memories, and 73% now prefer meaningful experiences over traditional material objects. Top gifts for Mother’s Day include cut flowers, jewelry, gift cards, clothing, and experience-based gifts, reflecting both traditional favorites and emerging trends.

This wide range of gift types means all kinds of small businesses can benefit. Whether you’re running a nail salon, a restaurant, a bookstore, or a handmade soap shop—you have a role to play in this national celebration.

Special Outings and Activities: The Experience Economy

Mother’s Day is no longer just about the perfect bouquet or a heartfelt card—it’s about creating lasting memories through special outings and unique experiences. The experience economy is reshaping how families honor mothers, with more consumers seeking ways to celebrate that go beyond traditional gifts. According to the National Retail Federation, spending on special outings like brunches, spa days, and gourmet dinners is expected to reach new heights, reflecting a growing desire to make the holiday truly memorable.

This shift is great news for local businesses and department stores looking to stand out. By offering experience-based Mother’s Day gifts—think cooking classes, wine tastings, or exclusive spa treatments—retailers can tap into a market that values quality time and meaningful connections. Online shopping platforms are also making it easier than ever for customers to browse and book these experiences, allowing recipients to enjoy something truly special with their loved ones.

To make the most of this trend, it’s essential for retailers to plan ahead and curate a diverse range of experiences that cater to different interests and price points. Partnering with other local businesses can help create exclusive packages—like a private chef’s dinner followed by a floral arranging workshop—while department stores can bundle experiences with traditional gifts for added value. This approach not only increases average order value but also helps businesses stand out in a crowded market.

Rising costs and increased demand mean that consumers are willing to pay a premium for experiences that create lasting memories. According to Prosper Insights, a significant portion of shoppers prioritize gifts that foster meaningful moments, making experience-based offerings a smart strategy for driving customer satisfaction and loyalty. The Society of American Florists notes that while flowers remain a staple, many florists are now combining floral arrangements with event tickets or spa vouchers to meet evolving consumer preferences—much like small retailers do with Memorial Day customer-attraction strategies that blend promotions, events, and community engagement.

As the fourth Sunday in May approaches, retailers should focus on promoting their experience-based gifts and activities through social media, email campaigns, and online advertising. Creating a sense of urgency—such as limited-time offers or exclusive packages—can help drive demand in the crucial week leading up to Mother’s Day. With the average order value for these experiences trending higher than traditional gifts, there’s a significant opportunity for revenue growth.

Ultimately, embracing the experience economy allows retailers to honor mothers in a way that goes beyond material gifts. By offering unique outings and activities, businesses can help families create lasting memories, foster customer loyalty, and ensure that Mother’s Day remains a holiday filled with joy and connection. As President Woodrow Wilson envisioned, it’s a time to celebrate motherhood—and today’s consumers are eager to do so in ways that are as special as the women they honor.

Why It Matters: Consumer Confidence in Action

Despite inflation and ongoing economic uncertainty, people are still spending. That says a lot. When consumers feel confident enough to go the extra mile for special occasions, it signals that they value experiences and relationships—and are willing to pay for them.

According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, nearly half of consumers (48%) say finding a unique or different gift is a priority for Mother’s Day, and 42% are seeking presents that help create lasting memories. The trend towards experiential gifting has gained traction after the pandemic, with 36% of men planning to give experiences for Mother’s Day.

This also means they’re more open to:

• Premium pricing (for quality products or services)

• Upsells (e.g., pairing a flower bouquet with a greeting card or custom vase)

• Spontaneous purchases (when a POS system makes it easy to say “yes”)

That last one—ease of purchase—is critical, and it leads us to payment processing.

How Payment Systems Make or Break the Sale

Imagine this: a customer is in your flower shop on May 11. They’re in a rush. They find the perfect bouquet and card. You go to ring them up, and your terminal is slow or declines their Apple Pay.

Boom. Friction.

You might still make the sale, but it kills the mood. And worse, they might walk out.

Having a fast, reliable, and flexible payment system is more important now than ever in a marketplace where card and contactless payments dominate in 2026. Here’s what today’s customers expect:

• Tap to Pay / Contactless options (Apple Pay, Google Pay, smartwatches)

• EMV chip readers

• Mobile terminals for events, pop-ups, or outdoor sales

• Split payments and gift card compatibility

Providing easy access to Mother’s Day arrangements through online platforms and mobile devices streamlines the process for customers, making it simple to view, choose, and purchase gifts. Simplifying customer options during the busy week before Mother’s Day can help streamline decision-making and enhance sales. Retailers that promote early ordering and delivery options can enhance customer satisfaction and increase sales volume, especially when those options are powered by cloud-based POS systems with real-time data.

Solutions like Clover POS offer all of these features and more, and small businesses that leverage them are better positioned to convert foot traffic into revenue—especially during high-volume holidays like Mother’s Day. Choosing the right Clover POS plan for your business and understanding how Clover can replace multiple devices and systems ensures your setup matches both your current needs and peak-season demand.

Brick-and-Mortar Bonus: Local, Trusted, and Trending

In an age of Amazon and big-box giants, many consumers still crave local charm—especially on holidays like Mother’s Day. Small shops and family-run spots can capitalize on this by highlighting their uniqueness, whether they’re neighborhood boutiques, florists, or cafés leveraging specialized POS systems for coffee shop-style service:

• Offer Mother’s Day bundles

• Create gift guides to help indecisive shoppers

• Promote limited-edition items or experiences

• Use signage, window displays, and social media to grab attention

Managing inventory effectively and creating themed displays that combine complementary products can significantly increase sales velocity during Mother’s Day. Hiring extra staff for Mother’s Day can enhance customer service and improve sales outcomes. Retailers that track seasonal search data gain advantages in procurement decisions for Mother’s Day inventory.

But all of that has to be backed up by the basics: clear pricing, short lines, and no delays at checkout. This is where payment processing tech becomes part of your customer service strategy.

Pro Tips for Maximizing Mother’s Day Sales

1. Run a promotion

• Offer a free item with a certain purchase amount.

• Bundle bestsellers with seasonal products.

• Curate gift sets that combine multiple product categories to increase basket size and appeal to a wider range of shoppers.

• Offering gift add-ons can raise the average order value during Mother’s Day sales.

1. Highlight gift cards

• Last-minute shoppers love them.

• Make it easy to buy and redeem in-store or online.

1. Use email and SMS marketing

• Remind loyal customers of your Mother’s Day deals.

• Include direct links to gift ideas or appointment booking.

1. Train your staff

• Make sure they know how to handle all types of payments.

• Equip them with mobile payment devices if needed.

1. Promote buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS)

• A growing number of shoppers want hybrid shopping experiences.

1. Plan inventory and assortment strategically

• Effective Mother’s Day inventory strategy requires sophisticated procurement planning that begins 12-16 weeks before the holiday.

• Retailers implementing tiered gift assortment planning are achieving higher profit margins by allocating inventory across strategic price points.

Digital Trends That Matter

According to Mastercard, retail sales in the U.S. have remained relatively strong thanks to holiday boosts like Valentine’s Day and now Mother’s Day. And much of this spending is happening via digital wallets and mobile payments supported by subscription-based cloud POS platforms. Many consumers now use their phone to research gift ideas and make purchases, making mobile-friendly online shopping experiences essential. Online shopping remains the most popular channel for Mother’s Day purchases, with 36% of consumers using it, followed by department stores at 32%.

For small businesses that are still cash-only or stuck with outdated credit card terminals, this is your wake-up call. Adopting up-to-date payment processing solutions isn’t optional—it’s essential for survival and growth.

A Peek Ahead: Setting Up for Father’s Day and Graduation Season

After Mother’s Day comes another sales boom: Father’s Day, graduation gifts, and early summer spending. If you optimize your POS setup now, train your staff, and streamline checkout processes, you’ll be ready to capture that revenue too.

Think of it as planting seeds now so your sales garden keeps blooming well into the summer.

Conclusion: Turn Mother’s Day Into a Springboard

This Mother’s Day, shoppers are ready to spend—big. They want memorable gifts and meaningful moments. And they want it all with speed, ease, and confidence.

For small business owners, this is the time to shine. With smart marketing, reliable payment processing, and a focus on experience, you can turn one holiday into lasting customer relationships and a strong start to your summer sales season.

Because at the end of the day, celebrating mom isn’t just good for the heart—it’s great for business.