Today is 14^th February, most commonly known as the Valentine’s Day or 2^nd most retailing event of the year!

Around 50 years back The Beatles said ‘Cause I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love’ and ‘All you need is love.’ But I think that era is now long gone. Because, these days Valentine’s Day makes Americans spend $18 billion, Aussies spend $18[AT1]  million and Britons spend £1.6 billion. Whoa! That’s really huge Spending to express love to your loved ones. Around 62% people celebrate Valentine’s Day. That pretty much explains everything!

Valentine’s Day today has become literally a money-making event. Restaurants, Gift shops, online retail stores, clothing stores, jewelers and flower vendors[AT2]  have made it to a huge earning source.

Let’s look at how these businesses have made Valentine’s Day so large.

1. Restaurants: “Table for Two!” Restaurants come up with special menus which are priced at pretty inflated rates by just changing the name of the menu to some term which is related with Valentine. Around 15% of spending is done on food.
2. Gift Shops: Gifts, greeting cards and so many things! And that too at pretty high prices (But of course, they are priced in the name of discounts.)  You get many incentives through which they assure repeat purchase.
3. E-Commerce Stores: Nothing much to say. They have got almost every product giving heavy discounts. Plus extra charge for gift wraps and discounted rush delivery. And yes, coupons and discounts are always there.
4. Clothing Stores: Considerable percentage of spending is done on clothing and lingerie. Many clothing giants run a campaign on this. 6% of total spending (Done for Valentine’s Day) is done on clothing/lingerie.
5. Jewelers: Many big brands set up campaigns to gift diamonds and jewelry for your loved ones. Around 8-9% of spending is done on jewelry.
6. Flowers: One week before the Valentine’s Day, people celebrate Rose Day, Teddy Day, Hug Day and what not. 15% of spending is done on flowers! And men contribute to around 80% of this purchase.

And, I haven’t forgotten Chocolates on which 21% of Total Spending happens.

Certainly, Valentine’s Day has become a mainstream thing these days.

Call me orthodox but certainly ‘There are some things that money can’t buy’ and that is Love. Everything else is secondary.