The web becomes a major channel for Mothers Day shopping and buying

29% of Mothers Day gift givers are buying their gifts online this year, says a survey from Gator Corp.’s Feedback Research Division. That rate is up significantly from last year’s 17%, Feedback Research reports. In addition, a full 35% of consumers who will buy their gifts offline use the Internet to research gifts, the survey says.

Among popular Mothers Day gift sites, sales at flower sites increased 212% from the week ending April 22 to the week ending May 6. Sales at gift sites were up 246% for the period and at jewelry sites, 96%.

53% of respondents are giving flowers as Mothers Day gifts, 19% are giving health or beauty products and 12% are giving jewelry. 15% will send an e-card.

Gator provides free, ad-supported software to consumers. Feedback Research tracks the Internet use of 35 million consumers who have signed up for Gator software. The survey was based on responses from a random sampling of Gator’s users.