NRF has been conducting its annual graduation spending survey since 2007 to see how Americans will celebrate high school and college graduates each spring.
Graduation spending to reach $5.5 billion
According to NRF's annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics, 34% of respondents will buy a gift for a grad in their life this year.
- Average spending will be $107.46
- Cash will, once again, be the top gift
1
Historical highlights
- 2018: Graduation spending to reach $5.2 billion
- 2017: Graduation spending to reach record-high $5.6B
- 2016: Americans to spend $5.4 billion on graduation gifts
- 2015: Graduates make room for electronics, cash after graduation
Results of NRF’s graduation spending survey are released each year in May.
More consumer trends
January retail sales grew 2.7 percent over last year
January retail sales increased 0.2 percent over December and 2.7 percent year-over-year, according to NRF.
Read more
3 ways convenience impacts shopping behavior
Retailers have been setting new standards for finding and receiving items.
Read more
3 common Valentine's Day myths
Fact or fiction? The data behind some common Valentine’s Day assumptions.
Read more
Growing emphasis on convenience for today’s consumers
Today’s consumers increasingly prioritize convenience when it comes to purchases.
Read more
Meet the 2020 consumers driving change
How values and personal beliefs are driving consumers' shopping habits and choices.
Read more
Nearly 148 million Americans plan to shop Super Saturday
Super Saturday is the biggest shopping day of the year with an estimated 147.8 million consumers expected to partcipate.
Read more