What Do Dads Want on Father's Day?

The good news for dads who do want some gifts from the family is that this Father's Day is expected to see the highest level of gift spending ever, according to the National Retail Federation. The average consumer will spend $117 on Father's Day gifts, a surprising number given the lousy economy. That figure is up 10% from last year (at $106), with total money sent on Father's Day at $12.7 billion. "He may not ever expect the 'royal treatment' on Father's Day, but this year dad doesn't have much of a say as it's evident his loved ones want to make sure he has a great day," notes NRF chief executive officer Matthew Shay. "For those looking for the perfect gift idea, retailers will have specials on everything from patio sets and grills to ties and gardening tools in the weeks leading up to the holiday."

One relatively new market to watch is mobile shopping. The NRF reports that 25% of tablet computer owners will use the device to make a Father's Day purchase, while 26% of smartphone users plan on using their phones to research and make mobile purchases for the day.