Shoppers are buying more than the proverbial tie for Dad this year as the nation prepares to celebrate Father’s Day on June 20.
Local retailers report that while consumers seem to be spending more, they are also getting more for their money.
A National Retail Federation survey reported shoppers will spend $9.8 billion this year on Dad’s day.
The amount spent is expected to jump from an average of $90.89 per father in 2009 to $94.32 this year, for an increase of nearly 4 percent.
The jump in spending is in line with sales at Bass Pro Shops, 101 Bass Pro Drive in Broken Arrow. Store manager Chris Koeninger says he is prepared for the crush of shoppers this weekend looking for that perfect gift for Dad.
There’s a rifle on sale at Bass Pro that’s a big hit, but it doesn’t shoot bullets. It’s an accessory to a Wii game for $49.99 called "The Hunt" where — you guessed it — players hunt in an interactive environment.
"It’s actually our No. 1 seller," Koeninger said. "It has realistic hunting scenarios, and comes with a controller that feels like a real rifle."
Its twin, "The Strike,tiffany pendants," was launched at Christmas with a rod-and-reel combo as the controller.
If Dad needs a real rod and reel, Koeninger said, Bass Pro has developed one made with carbon fiber, and it’s reportedly among the lightest in the industry.
"It’s a huge seller; in fact,tiffany bracelets, it’s hard to keep in stock," he said. "You might not notice the lighter weight at first, but when you’re casting 1,000 times a day, you do see — and need — the difference."
Koeninger said sales of recreation goods have gone up "because everyone is getting outdoors."
"The poor economy hasn’t affected that at all," he said.
For those who have more to spend, Bass Pro has a $56,000 luxury pontoon boat called the Cruiser 32, made by Suntracker. Koeninger said it boasts a water slide, a second-story deck, air conditioning, a bathroom, and a sofa that converts to a bed.
He said this weekend will be the biggest one for Father’s Day sales.
"Not only did we order extra goods, we have a summer camp going on for the kids," Koeninger said. "When Mom comes to Bass Pro to shop for Dad, the kids can learn about the outdoors. They can earn merit badges and make crafts for free. And there’s an archery range."
At Dillard’s in Woodland Hills Mall, manager Keith Dockery said the focus this Father’s Day is on value.
"Not always the cheapest, but being able to buy more with their dollar — that’s what’s important to shoppers."
Dockery said you can find something for Dad in nearly every department in the store. Popular items this year include printed T-shirts with various themes, grilling cookbooks and accessories, recliners, and fragrances and watches.
"The fun part is being able to pick a gift for your dad, whether it be casual, classic or contemporary," he said.
Dockery is hoping for an upswing in sales this holiday.
"I think we saw it for Mother’s Day, and throughout 2010 we have seen that," he said. "So far — knock on wood — the men’s business has been very, very good."
Shoppers who travel to Ultimate Electronics, 10021 E. 71st St., will find that prices for electronics have dropped, store officials said.
Hot items this year are high-definition television sets and 3-D models, according to manager Cody Williams.
"There are some great values out there," Williams said. "If they don’t have HDTVs, they’re buying them. And if they have an HDTV they’re getting surround sound. They’re building on what they’ve already got."
Williams said people "are always going to be spending money where they see value."
"With all the financing out there right now — much at zero percent — people can take advantage of it and buy what they want," Williams said.
While the biggest screen in the store spans 82 inches, Williams said most shoppers are looking at smaller 3-D TVs.
"A few months ago we had the Master’s (golf tournament) in 3-D live, and it was extremely exciting for most dads in the area," Williams said.
Sizes for 3-D TVs range from 40 to 46 inches, and up to 65 inches. Williams hopes to have an 82-inch version soon.
"We have more than just TVs — we have cameras, camcorders, GPS units and iPods — for them to make memories and listen to their music"
And for those kids with little in their pockets this holiday,tiffany rings, Bass Pro Shops’ Koeninger said they can take Dad to meet Kevin Van Dam, the 2010 Bassmaster Classic champion.
Van Dam will sign autographs and pose for photographs at the store from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
"His face is on every category of product in our fishing department," Koeninger said.
What’s Dad worth?
The National Retail Federation’s Father’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, shows that 39.9 percent of families will take dad out for a special dinner or outing, spending $1.9 billion. Nearly 37 percent of shoppers will go the traditional route and spend $1.3 billion on clothing, while gift cards and electronics are nearly equal at $1.2 billion each.
Other totals include $578 million on tools and appliances, $550 million on home improvement and gardening tools, $500 million on sporting goods and leisure items and $400 million on automotive accessories.
Along with those presents, 31 percent of shoppers buy a greeting card,tiffany, spending a total of $749 million.
That’s a lot of sentiment.
Nancy Hollingshead 581-8363
nancy.hollingshead@tulsaworld.com
