Today's guest post is from Poornima Apte, editor of GIFT SHOP magazine.

The National Retail Federation recently reported that the average person will spend $98.34 on Father's Day this year, up from $88.80 last year.

That $98.34? That's us! They must have been following my girls and I as we scooped up stuff for Dad this past weekend.

According to the NRF, "as in previous years, the most popular gift for dad will be a greeting card (69.9%), but he can also expect to be treated to a special outing such as dinner (42.7%). Other popular gift items include apparel (37.1%), a gift certificate or gift card (29.9%), consumer electronics or computer related accessories (17.8%) sporting goods or leisure items (13.9%), tools or appliances (13.6%), and home improvement or gardening tools (12.4%)." Even if it's my 9-year-old's favorite Daddy gift, there's not much demand this year for soap-on-a-rope!

Do you stock special products in your store for Father's Day? Remember, it doesn't have to be anything very extravagant. As the numbers show, greeting cards are very popular. Try a line with a touch of humor. Also of particular appeal are mugs and plates kids can customize for Dad.

As for our Father's Day purchases, after we returned from our shopping expedition, we ran into my neighbor who asked: "How come we have to hang out with the kids and do brunch on Mother's Day while for Father's Day, the men get to hang out with the guys and golf all day?" Good question! It's one, I'm sure, not many surveys will (or can) address!