Interesting Facts about Valentine’s Day: Business Edition

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. Valentine’s Day is for anyone who likes to be appreciated: singles who will buy something nice for themselves, friends who celebrate platonic friendships, or parents getting treats for their children. 

Are all the reasons for spending money on Valentine’s Day a marketing strategy to encourage people – both couples and singles – to spend money?

Another way to ask this question is: does it matter why we buy for Valentine’s Day? In addition to your sweetheart, so many others benefit from this occasion that celebrates love. Here are some interesting facts about Valentine’s Day: business edition.

Who receives the most valentines?

• People spend on gifts for partners, friends, pets, and even coworkers. Valentine’s Day is not necessarily a romantic occasion.
• Teachers get the most valentines. Children, mothers, wives, and pets also top the list for receiving the most valentines. 

How much do people spend for February 14th?

• According to the National Retail Foundation, Americans are expected to spend $23.9 billion on the occasion this year – over $175 spent per person – with candy, greeting cards, and flowers at the top of the list for gift items. 
• Retailers expect jewellery to be the top expense at more than $6.2 billion. 
• Over 40 percent are interested in a gift of experience, such as a concert or sports event.

Is Valentine’s Day celebrated at work?

• Glassdoor’s survey found that 69% of people have received a Valentine’s Day themed gift from a co-worker. Most, however (58%) are not interested in the occasion from a workplace standpoint.
• A Workplace Romance in America study found evidence of some workplace romance. Around 25 percent of respondents said they have previously dated a coworker and 4 percent are currently dating a coworker. 
• Some of the occupations that benefit from Valentine’s Day are florists, massage therapists, hotel concierges, greeting card writers, restaurants servers, and chocolatiers. 

What are some interesting facts about the history of Valentine’s Day? 

• Fancy Boxes were decorated chocolates sold in heart-shaped boxes in 1868 for Valentine’s Day.
• Early versions of printed Valentine’s Day cards appeared in the early 1900s. These cards were printed in factories.
• The chalky, heart-shaped conversation candies that appear around Valentine’s Day were first created as lozenges. They became heart-shaped in 1902.
• The remote ordering and delivery of flowers to loved ones was pioneered in 1910.
• The slogan “A Diamond is Forever” first appears in 1948 to introduce the idea that expensive jewellery expresses love.
• In Korea, women give chocolates to men to show their affection on Valentine’s Day (February 14). On White Day (March 14), men return their affection to women with white gifts, such as white chocolate and lingerie (although dark chocolate and other colors and gifts are also accepted now). On Black Day (April 14), singles (who didn’t receive anything on Feb 14 or Mar 14) eat Jjajyangmyeon (Black Noodles) with their single friends. The first two occasions receive the most marketing and event promotion.

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