Father’s Day is a time to honor and appreciate fathers for their hard work, love, and support. However, Father’s Day is not just about celebration; it is a big opportunity for small businesses and retailers to make sales, as many shoppers will be looking for the perfect gifts for their fathers and father figures.
Nowadays, ties and socks don’t cut it anymore, with dads wanting more practical and personalized gifts that reflect who they are.
In this article, we will look at what dads really want for Father’s Day to give you an insight into what you should stock.
Table of Contents
Father’s Day market overview
Top-selling gifts for Father’s Day?
Tech gadgets
Outdoor gear
Personalized items
Watches
Apparel
Fitness and sporting gear
Experiential gifts
Summing up
Father’s Day market overview
According to the National Retail Federation, Father’s Day spending was USD 22.4 billion in 2024. Greeting cards remain the most popular gift; in 2024, 58% of shoppers purchased one, while 54% purchased apparel and 31% chose personal care items.
Half of consumers purchased gifts for their fathers, while 26% purchased for their husbands, and the rest purchased for a son, brother, friend, or grandfather. At least 47% of customers say it’s important to find a unique gift, while 39% will prioritize an experience.
The demand for Father’s Day gifts is increasing as disposable income rises, with the average gift expenditure growing as shoppers opt for more premium, experiential, and personalized gifts.
More customers are looking for products that align with the receiver’s interests and hobbies, with a rise in demand for tech gadgets, gourmet food subscriptions, and outdoor gear.
The generational gap is also affecting Father’s Day gift trends: younger dads appreciate personalized and authentic presents; Millennial dads look for experiences; and Gen X and Boomer generations appreciate practical products like tools.
Top-selling gifts for Father’s Day?
Curating your products to cater to these niche interests and preferences is important, as more people are turning to personalized and experiential Father’s Day gifts. Some of the popular Father’s Day gifts you should have include:
Tech gadgets
Most dads will love a tech gadget gift. On Father’s Day, many shoppers will be looking for items that are an upgrade of their fathers’ preexisting tech gadgets or something that they have been eyeing for a while. Small businesses should stock the latest tech gadgets to tap into this market.
You can’t go wrong with everything from noise-canceling headphones and earbuds to gaming PCs and speaker sets, home security systems to wearable tech and fitness trackers. Ensure you stock quality gadgets at a wide range of prices to cater to different customers.
Outdoor gear
Dads who enjoy outdoor activities will always appreciate well-thought-out outdoor gear. Specialized outdoor gear will help make their time outdoors easier. For instance, a chair with a cooler is great for someone who loves fishing or relaxing in the backyard on a hot summer afternoon.
In short, quality outdoor gear, such as camping equipment, fishing rods, and tents, will make perfect gifts for the outdoorsy dad.
Personalized items
Everyone loves a personalized gift. Custom-made shirts, those with a heartfelt message from the family, or a family photo, are great options. Custom-made shirts demonstrate the giver’s appreciation.
A monogrammed notebook is also a good option, as too is a quality travel bag with monogrammed initials for fathers who travel frequently for work.
To personalize these gifts, partner with other small businesses that offer design services.
Watches
Watches are a popular Father’s Day gift as they also make for great keepsakes that can become family heirlooms that can be passed down over generations.
Stock quality watches in your inventory in a variety of designs and materials to cater to different tastes. Watches can also be customized and engraved with messages or meaningful dates.
Apparel
A nice jacket or smart shoes make for another great Father’s Day gift. For active fathers, consider a light hoodie, performance shorts, or running shoes.
To boost sales, make sure to accommodate all body types, sizes, and designs when stocking apparel for Father’s Day.
Fitness and sporting gear
Sports gear, including golf clubs, balls, rackets, and other sporting accessories, will likely hit the mark this Father’s Day.
To increase your reach, it is important to stock a variety of equipment and cover as many sports as possible, or at least those popular in your location.
Experiential gifts
Experiential gifts are gaining popularity among Millennial and Gen Z fathers looking to create memories with the ones they love, over hoarding more stuff. Tickets to a sports event or a concert are some great go-tos.
Most fathers will appreciate a fun day out with the family. Park passes, mini-golf tickets, or other activities will likely appeal to most dads.
Summing up
At the end of the day, a Father’s Day gift is about demonstrating a person’s love and appreciation – not just buying a product. Small businesses that take the time to really understand what dads want stand a better chance of increasing sales and earning the trust and loyalty of their customers year-round.
When stocking Father’s Day gifts, prioritize high-quality products and variety so that you can cater to different budgets, tastes, and preferences. This will in turn help your customers celebrate their fathers and father figures with thoughtful, personalized, and practical gifts.
