Aussies defy cost of living crisis to spend up big for Mother’s Day

It’s the day we show our mothers how much we care and possibly make up for the other 364 days of the year but, if you think the cost of living crisis will deter many to spend up big, then think again.

This year Aussies are set to splurge half a billion dollars this Mother’s Day as it continues to be one of the biggest on the retail calendar with every state experiencing a 20 per cent boost over the weekend last year, according to ANZ data.

ANZ banking managing director Yiken Yang said food, clothing, personal beauty and jewellery are expected to top the list of gifts, as consumer confidence moved seven points higher than the same point in 2024 while ANZ forecast a 2.5 per cent increase in spending this year.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen a steady rise in spending during the Mother’s Day weekend,” Mr Yang said.

He said Australians were expected to fork out $569 million on everything from airfares, duty-free and personal health items and photographic equipment to traditional gifts such as food, alcohol and winery tours.

Although still popular with many consumers, Mr Yang anticipates reduced spending in flower shops, jewellery and department stores as people choose more experience-type gifts for mum.

He said florists saw a 5.22 per cent drop in spending in 2024, compared to a year earlier, although they recouped an additional $3.1 million compared to a normal weekend.

However, Victoria Whitelaw Beautiful Flowers expects to sell more than 20,000 stems over the two weeks leading up to Mother’s Day, with bouquets and mixes of blooms in high demand for customers.

While cost-of-living pressures have weighed on families, Director Victoria Whitelaw said customers continue to turn to flowers to show their maternal figures they care.

“This particular day is one day that you can really show them that care and that love, and it’s going to show in the business trading figures,” she said.

“It’s an emotional sale for the purchaser, and also an emotional gift for the recipient. It’s a win-win with flowers.”

Disproving the myth that Aussie blokes aren’t sentimental, it was men who spent the most with an average of $131 per item while in the battle of the generations, Generation X splurged the most, spending $189 million, followed by millennials spending $184 million.

Generation Z spent the least, but saw the biggest growth, proving they too care about their mums.

– with AAP.