Mothers' Day 'worth £1.6 billion' to retail

Mothering Sunday is expected to be worth £1.6 billion to UK retailers this year, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

The organisation predicts that the celebration, which falls on this Sunday 2 March, will see sales of £85 million for greetings cards, and £65 million for chocolates.

Flowers, however, are expected to be the most popular gift, with sales predicted to total £230 million.

Data from analysts Nielsen reveals that more cards and cut flowers are sold for Mothers' Day than for Valentine's Day.

"Little more than a fortnight after Valentine's Day, millions of us will be with our mums on Sunday showing how much she's appreciated," said BRC director-general Stephen Robertson.

"With an early Easter too, three celebration days in quick succession present a supply and restocking challenge for retailers as they try to keep up with whether customers want hearts, rabbits, roses, pot plants or chocolate eggs."