ShopperTrak: Expect to see growth in Mother's Day sales, foot traffic

CHICAGO — Consumers are expected to shop and buy more in the week leading up to Mother's Day than they did last year, according to a new ShopperTrak survey.

As Mother's Day sales and traffic historically are a bright shopping spot in the retail calendar, national retail sales this year are projected to rise 6% in the week leading up to Mother's Day and foot traffic will increase 3.7%, compared with the same period last year, ShopperTrak said. Additionally, ShopperTrak also said warmer weather, and the fact that Mother's Day 2012 falls one week later on the calendar than last year may positively affect sales.

"As the economy improves, consumers are recovering the confidence they need to splurge on Mom this year," ShopperTrak founder Bill Martin said. "Retailers can expect a busy week leading up to Mother's Day."