Americans plan to spend USD 21.6 billion (EUR 18.4 billion) on Easter celebrations this year, according to a new survey, and some U.S. restaurants are using seafood specials lure in customers over the holiday.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights and Analytics survey found that Americans will spend an average of USD 179.70 (EUR 153) each this Easter – the highest figure on record.
“With new stimulus funds from the president’s American Rescue Plan, positive trends in vaccinations and growing consumer confidence, there is a lot of momentum heading into the spring and holiday events like Easter,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Many have figured out how to celebrate holidays safely with family and that is reflected in consumer spending this Easter.”
Americans’ spending on food is expected to rise for the holiday as 59 percent plan to mark the holiday by cooking a holiday meal, NRF said.
Consumers plan to spend an average of USD 52.50 (EUR 44.65) each on food, up from USD 51.76 (EUR 44) in 2020; USD 31.06 (EUR 26.37) on gifts, up from USD 27.91 (EUR 23.74); and USD 25.22 (EUR 21.45) on candy, an increase from USD 23.30 (EUR 19.82).
Many celebrate Good Friday and Easter Sunday with crawfish boils, and suppliers report that demand for the shellfish is strong.
“The demand is so much higher right now. I think coming out of this COVID thing, people are like in a crawfish frenzy, right now,” Jeff Pohlmann with Today’s Ketch Seafood and Restaurant in Chalmette, Louisiana, told WWL TV.
Many restaurant chains are promoting bundled family meals for Easter, for take-out or delivery. For example, Bloomin’ Brands’ Bonefish Grill is promoting its Mahi and Shrimp Bundle for USD 50 (EUR 42.52) from 2 to 4 April. The meal serves five people and comes with a House Salad or Caesar Salad and the customer’s choice of family-style sides.
Darden-owned Bahama Breeze is also offering family-style Caribbean Bundles To-Go for four people. The meals, which include a choice of entrée, a side, salad, and Cuban bread, feature entrees such as the restaurant’s Seafood Paella and Grilled Chicken with Cilantro-Crema.
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, also owned by Darden, is offering a four-course Easter dinner for two people for USD 150 (EUR 128) or for four to six, for USD 250 (EUR 213). Entree choices include Herb-Roasted Tenderloin and Chilean Sea Bass.
Shula’s 347 Grille is offering several seafood dishes for dine or take out, including: Cioppino Grouper and Lobster Benedict entrees, along with Lobster Crepes and Softshell Crab Tempura appetizers.
Photo courtesy of ZikG/Shutterstock
