EASTER SPENDING DOWN TWO FEWER WEEKS TO SHOP BEFORE EARLY HOLIDAY THIS YEAR.

Byline: Candice Choi Staff Writer

Donning your Sunday best this Easter may mean dusting off last year's fashions, with spending on apparel expected to nosedive this holiday.

Total Easter spending is expected to tumble to $9.6 billion this year from $10.5 billion in 2004 partly as a result of the holiday's earliest arrival in 15 years, said the National Retail Federation. Spending on food, candy and gifts is dipping slightly as well.

This year Easter falls on March 27 - two weeks earlier than last year. The last time the holiday came so early was in 1989, when it fell on March 26.

With chilly wintry weather still lingering, people aren't as willing to shell out for spring clothes, said Scott Krugman, spokesman for NRF.

``That's going to pull away from people buying clothing,'' Krugman said.

Only 29.4 percent of consumers are planning to buy new duds for this Easter, down from 42.2 percent last year. That adds up, since clothing accounts for a big chunk of Easter spending.

Those who do buy clothes for the holiday spend an average of $49.

Mission Hills resident Sylvia Olivia isn't buying her granddaughter a new dress like she normally does. It's still too chilly for a summer dress, but that's all that's available in stores right now.

``All the stores are carrying summer clothes. There's nothing warm right now,'' she said.

Olivia still plans on buying plenty of candy and treats to fill Easter baskets for her grandchildren.

``Obviously, the later (Easter) is, the better. It's definitely a challenge when you have two whole weeks less for people to spend,'' said Linda Frost, senior marketing manager at Northridge Fashion Center.

Clothing retailers are nevertheless faring well as the result of the recent rains in Southern California.

``(The mall) is a good way to get out of the rain,'' she said.

Food is another big item for Easter, with shoppers spending an average of $31 on everything from hams, turkeys and wine. Grocery stores like Vons are stocking up in preparation for an influx of shoppers.

``It's a big time for wine, second only to Thanksgiving,'' said Daymond Rice, spokesman for Vons.

Marshmallow Peeps, chocolate eggs and other candy account for just $14 of the average Easter budget. Shoppers are also expected to spend $15 on gifts. Decorations, flowers and greeting cards round out the rest of shopping list.

Last year, Easter edged out Mother's Day as the third biggest spending holiday.

The winter holidays are traditionally the most lucrative time of year, as retailers make a quarter of their annual in the final weeks of the year. Valentine's Day is the second-biggest spending holiday, pulling in $12.8 billion in 2004.

Mother's Day ranked fourth last year, followed by Father's Day, Halloween and St. Patrick's Day.

Those who plan on celebrating Easter this year plan to spend an average of $96.51, down from $107.17 in 2004.

The decrease in spending doesn't reflect a wider trend but is simply the result of the holiday's timing this year, Krugman said.

Candice Choi, [phone]

candice.choi(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) With Easter just around the corner, Danny Dotmasyan, 4, and his sister Britney, 1, had their photos taken with the Easter Bunny at the Northridge Fashion Mall.

Joel P. Lugavere/Special to the Daily News

Box:

TOP SHOPPING HOLIDAYS

SOURCE: Daily News research by Candice Choi

Daily News