Alexis Anderson
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer
Love is in air this Valentine’s Day, and couples are cautiously spending a little more for their loved one’s as they did last year.
Steven Welch, manager of Edible Arrangements in Flowood, Miss., said that this year the demand for their fruit merchandise has increased.
“Valentine’s Day is one of our busiest days of the year. We have a lot of consumers every year to purchase Valentine’s Day bouquets. We have gotten so many orders from customers, we had to stop ordering bouquets.”
He added: “The normal amount of money is spent annually is $60 on our chocolate strawberry desserts, it is usually one of our most popular items.”
According to the National Retail Federation, the 2013 Valentine’s Day spending survey conducted by http://BigSight.com shows only a slight increase in expected sales this year with the average person planning to spend $126.03 on candy, cards, gifts and more, up from $116.21 billion last year. The total spending will reach $17.6 billion.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day is not always for couples; though people plan to spend the most on their significant other, 60.6 percent of shoppers plan to show their appreciation for other family members and will spend an average of $26.46.
Consumers haven’t forgotten about their four-legged friends either; 20 percent of Americans plan to buy gifts for their pets this year, with total spending expected to reach $815 million. One-quarter of celebrants will buy gifts for friends, spending an average of $8.49, and 13.2 percent say they will buy Valentine’s Day gifts for their co-workers, planning to shell out an average of $5.12 on their colleagues. Greeting cards are the most popular gifts; jewelry is expected to be a big hit as well, with 17.3 percent. However, this is the lowest in history.
Some Jackson State University students believe that there should be a limit on how much money is spent on Valentine’s Day.
Ariel Campbell, a junior criminal justice from Atlanta, Ga., said, “It depends on the gifts; last year I spent over $60. My limit is $100.”
John Daley, a freshman electronic engineering freshman from Memphis, Tenn., said. “I would spend $100 maximum on gifts, and $50 for a date. The gifts can range anywhere from jewelry, teddy bears, and roses.”
The NRF reports that Americans this year will spend an average of $68.98 on their significant other, friend, or family members, up from $63.34 from last year. The average person will spend $5.04 on their furry friends, up from $3.27 from last year. Consumers will also spend an average $6.30 on friends, $4.97 on classmates and teachers.
In 2012, people spent $17.6 billion on the holiday of hearts and flowers; the highest estimate in the past 10 years. Consumers will spend $3.5 billion on jewelry this Valentine’s Day, clothing ($1.6 billion vs. $1.5 billion in 2010) and dining out ($3.4 billion vs. $3.3 billion in 2010) will also be the popular gift options.
James Earl Lehaman, a graduate student majoring in communications from Greenville, Miss., said, “I am experiencing the most sincere relationship I have ever encountered. I expect to spend more than I ever have on Valentine’s Day. I have set aside a personal budget of $400-500 this year. Where no dollar amount is parallel to how I feel about the love of my life, I want to do all I can to make her day special.”
According to http://visualeconomics.creditloan.com, gender weighs heavily on the price tag of Valentine’s Day. Northeast residents are the biggest spenders, spending almost $146.30. The southern states came in second place with $128.67, the western region in third at $119.82, and the Midwest spending the least at $110.96. Meanwhile, the 25 to 34 age range spends the most at $176.85. Ages 18-24 spend $148.05, 35-44 spend $141.82; 45-54 spend $122.43; 55-64 spend $88.13.
