By Randy Tucker
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Move over, Mom. Dad's finally getting his due. For the first time in a long while, consumers plan to spend more on gifts for Father's Day than they did for Mother's Day, according to a recent survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF) - the nation's largest retail trade group.

The poll of 8,048 consumers, conducted May 8-14, found that the 71.1 percent of American consumers who plan to celebrate Father's Day expect to spend $99.65 on average.

By comparison, Mother's Day shoppers spent $97.37 this year, according to the NRF, falling behind Father's Day spending for the first time since the trade group began conducting surveys for both holidays three years ago. Both surveys had a margin of error of plus or minus 1 percent.

"Dads are notoriously hard to shop for, but this year, consumers are going out of their way to find their fathers a gift that shows how much he means to them," NRF president and CEO Tracy Mullin said.

A charcoal gray suit caught Chris Black's eye Thursday as he was shopping for his dad, Paul. As the 28-year-old West Chester resident inspected the material more closely, his face lit up when he saw the price tag: "2 for $180."

"I usually end up buying something for myself when I'm shopping for my dad, anyway," Black said.

Black admitted he has let Father's Day slip by in the past without buying his dad a gift - something he'd never let happen on Mother's Day.

"My dad will understand if I don't, or can't afford to, buy him a gift. Mom won't," he said.

Father's Day spending is up from an average $94.80 last year and from $52.30 in 2001, the first year the NRF survey was conducted.

This year, 20.2 percent of consumers plan to give their dads clothing, while almost 15 percent plan to give him home improvement or gardening tools or appliances. Also, 13.9 percent plan to give dad a gift certificate, and 12.4 percent will buy books or CDs, the survey said.

E-mail rtucker@enquirer.com