The average person is planning to spend $131 on Valentine’s
Day on candy, cards, gifts, and more, up from $126 last year. The total
spending for the holiday will reach $18.6 billion, according to the National
Retail Federation.
A mix of traditional and non-traditional Valentine’s Day gifts will be popular
with consumers this year, the federation said in a statement.
Slightly more than half of gift givers will buy candy,
spending $1.6 billion in total, and another one-third will give flowers, with
total spending expected to top $1.9 billion.
Others will treat their special someone to jewelry, 20
percent, spending more than $4.4 billion on diamonds, gold, and silver. An
additional 16 percent will buy clothing, spending more than $1.6 billion. Gift
cards will also be on the top of shoppers’ lists; 15 percent of gift givers
will buy gift cards for their loved ones, totaling to $1.5 billion.
The average male will spend more than the average woman this
year, the federation said. Men will spend an average of $176 on jewelry, flowers, a romantic evening
out, and more, while women will spend about $89.
There will be a lot of last-minute deals, so be on the
lookout for promotions on chocolates, flowers, and dining.
Whatever your plans, have a terrific Valentine’s Day celebration.
