More Americans will be celebrating Easter this year, helping the retail industry bud and burst into full bloom. Nearly nine out of 10 women and eight out of 10 men plan to celebrate Easter. Apparel, candy, and food sales will be strong and online Easter sales will hit historic highs — up 23% from last year.

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More than half of the $14.4 billion Easter budget will be spent at discount stores. More than one-third, approximately $5.2 billion, of Easter shopping is likely to be spent in department stores. Online Easter sales will edge over the 12% mark for the first time. At nearly 13%, this represents over $1.8 billion dollars in online holiday sales.

Easter is the second most important candy-eating occasion of the year for, according to the National Confectioner's Association.

Candy, food, gifts, and cards are on most peoples’ lists, with over half of Easter budgets going here.  The earlier Easter date caused many stores to have their colorful Easter merchandise on display right after Valentine’s Day. More Easter shoes and Easter bonnets will be filling the shopping baskets than last year. Over 40% of shoppers told researchers they plan to purchase apparel for the Easter holiday. The 2007 big spending demographic groups (spending more than $140) are those living in the Northeast and young families with children and Easter baskets to fill.