Ever wonder which types of businesses cupid’s arrow snags the most throughout the season surrounding Valentine’s Day? While some of the answers won’t surprise you (like florists and candy shops enjoying a strong sales boost), others may. Did you know that in recent years one of the most popular gifts to give isn’t a bouquet of roses or a dinner date out, but the gift of experience via a gym membership or outdoor adventure? Or that now more than ever one of our biggest Valentines include our pets? Utilizing statistics from the National Retail Federation throughout 2014-2017, we’ve rounded up a look at February 14th’s greatest hits by the numbers to see which industries are consistently successful at spreading the love.
2017 by the numbers
54.8% — consumers celebrating Valentine’s Day in 2016
$136.57 — what the average person is expected to spend this year
$18.2 billion — total spending
What consumers are buying…
50% — candy
47% — greeting cards
37% — an evening out
35% — flowers
24% — gift of experience (concert tickets, gym membership, outdoor adventure)
19% — jewelry
19% — clothing
16% — gift cards and gift certificates
Men and Women: spending an average of $85.21 on gifts for significant others.
Celebrating more than couples…
$26.59 — other family members like children and parents
$6.56 — children’s classmates and teachers
$6.51 — friends
$4.27 — coworkers
$4.44 — pets
Where we shop…
35% — department stores
32% — discount stores
18% — florist
18% — specialty store
How we shop…
27% — online
15% —local business
2016 by the numbers
54.8% — consumers celebrating Valentine’s Day in 2016
$146.84 — what the average person spent on candy, flowers, apparel and more
$19.7 billion — total spending
What consumers are buying…
50% —candy
47.8% — greeting cards
38.3% —an evening out
24% — gift of experience (concert tickets, spa, art class)
19.9% — jewelry
$2 billion — apparel
$1.9 billion — flowers
Men and Women: spending an average of $89.86 on gifts for significant others.
Celebrating more than couples…
$27.79 — other family members like children and parents
$7.08 — children’s classmates and teachers
$5.83 — coworkers
$681 million — pets
Where we shop…
34.5% — department stores
31% — discount stores
19.4% — florist
19.1% — specialty store
How we shop…
27.9% — online
15.4% — local business
2015 by the numbers
$142.31 — what the average person spent on candy, flowers, apparel and more
$18.9 billion — total spending
What consumers are buying…
53.2% —candy
37.8% — flowers
35.1% — an evening out
21.1% —jewelry
$2 billion — clothing
$1.5 billion — gift cards
Men: average spending $190.53 on gifts for significant others
Women: average spending $96.58 on gifts for significant others
Celebrating more than couples…
$26.26 — other family members like children and parents
$6.30 — children’s classmates/teachers
$5.28 — pets
Where we shop…
36.5% — department stores
35.2% — discount stores
19.4% — specialty stores
18.7% — florists
How we shop…
25.1% — online
13.3% — local business
Spending habits per age group…
25 to 34 — $213.04
35 to 44 — $176.21
18 to 24 — $168.95
2014 by the numbers
54% — Americans celebrating with loved ones in 2014
$130.97 — what the average person spent on candy, cards, gifts, dinner and more
$17.3 billion — total spending
What consumers are buying…
51.2%) — greeting cards
48.7% — candy
37.3% — flowers
37% — an evening out
19% — jewelry
15.8% — clothing
14% — gift cards
Men: average spending $108.38 on gifts for significant others
Women: average spending $49.41 on gifts for significant others
Celebrating more than couples…
59.4% — other family members like children and parents
21.7% — friends
20.4% — teachers
19.4% — pets
12.1% — colleagues
How we shop…
32.2% — tablets
26.1% — online
24% — smartphones
Source: National Retail Federation
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