DETROIT -- It may be more blessed to give than receive but receiving from oneself is apparently a pretty close second, at least in the United States these days.
A survey by the National Retail Federation has found U.S. consumers will probably spend an average of $89 on themselves while out gift shopping this holiday season, the Detroit Free Press reported Monday.
More than half, or 51.2 percent, of consumers surveyed for the federation said they would take advantage of sales to make non-gift purchases of about $89.25 for themselves or their families. The federation also found consumers planned to spend an average of $702 on holiday items this year, an increase of 4.5 percent over last year, or a total of $219.9 billion in November and December.
The NRF survey of 7,821 consumers, conducted Oct. 6-14, found men and young adults planned to spend the most on themselves, at $117 and $115, respectively.
The average amount consumers planned to spend this year went primarily to family, $407; friends, $71; coworkers, $22, and others such as clergy, teachers, baby-sitters, $41. Another $160 is going for decorations, greeting cards, postage, candy, food and flowers.
