It’s that time again: Love is in the air, and with all that love comes a whole lot of flowers! Valentine’s Day is the number one holiday for sheer volume of floral purchases, and a close second to Christmas in terms of dollars spent. Here are a few key statistics to help you prepare for what is sure to be a fantastic Valentine’s Day:
Fewer Celebrating but More Spending
Each year, fewer people say they will celebrate Valentine’s Day; last year only 51% of those surveyed said they planned to celebrate, and that number has trended downward for the past 12 years. Conversely, more money is spent on Valentine’s Day each year: In 2019, the average amount spent was $162, well above the prior year’s $144, and the total amount spent was $20.7 billion, a six percent increase over the prior year. This trend shows no signs of slowing down due to a continued strong economy.
Roses: The Queen of Flowers for Valentine’s Day
In 2019, 28 percent of American adults purchased flowers or plants as Valentine’s gifts. The most popular flowers by far are roses, at 84% of total flowers purchased, with red roses being the most popular at 69% of all roses purchased. Following this are mixed flowers (45%); other types of flowers such as tulips, carnations, or lilies (41%); and plants (29%).
Men are Still the Biggest Spenders
According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, men are by far the biggest spenders on Valentine’s Day. In 2019, the average amount spent by men was $229.64, up 20% from 2018, and more than double the $97.77 average that women spent. In terms of age groups, those 35–44 are the biggest spenders at $279.14, followed by those 25–34 at $239.07; this makes sense, as these age groups are typically the ones with young families to buy for, as well as their children’s teachers and classmates.
Nearly $2 Billion Spent on Flowers
While the most money spent on Valentine’s Day is for jewelry ($3.9 billion), an evening out ($3.5 billion), and clothing ($2.1 billion), nearly $2 billion is spent on Valentine’s Day flowers. Additionally, 35% of those surveyed said they would give flowers—higher than any other category except greeting cards and candy. The most popular spending destination is still department stores (35%), but 16% of Valentine’s Day shoppers plan to spend money at florists.
Valentine’s Day looks to be bigger than ever this year. Prepare now, and you’ll be ready for your best one yet!
