E-mail marketers push for Mom: Constant Contact

E-mail may play a key role in Mother's Day marketing this year, as 88% of small business owners that plan to market for the holiday plan to use e-mail to do so, according to Constant Contact.

According to Constant Contact's third annual Small Business Mother's Day Outlook survey, US small businesses expect online sales to play a big role this year, as 63% of those surveyed expect an increase in online purchases this year.

Overall, 44% of US small business owners expect that sales for Mother's Day in 2008 will be higher than sales last year. Among other respondents, 34% anticipate sales to remain the same as last year and 22% expect sales to be lower.

Typical gifts will dominate for Mom, as flowers lead as the most anticipated gift to be sold. Thirty-seven percent of retailers expect flowers to be the most popular gift, followed by a meal at a restaurant, which 25% of retailers expect. A salon/spa appointment, jewelry and clothing are also popular gifts. Most consumers spend $25-$75 on a gift, according to the report.

However, 62% of respondents of the survey do not expect the economic stimulus payments, which are being sent out in May, to increase sales.