Feb 12, 2011

Valentine’s Day and the Economy Rekindle Their RomanceBy Molly HornbuckleKnoxNews.com

The economy definitely is feeling the love this month as the annual “Hallmark Holiday” descends on consumers.

According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, Valentine’s Day spending will be up 11 percent from last year with the average person spending $116.21 on flowers, greeting cards, candy, entertainment, jewelry, clothing and other frills.

“This year it seems like people are more willing to purchase the more expensive items to show their loved ones that they care,” said Mary Beth Cary, owner of the Flower Pot, a Knoxville florist. “I’d like to think that it’s because our economy is bouncing back from the recession.”

Flowers always have been a staple for Valentine’s Day. Over the past five years the Retail Federation has conducted this survey, the percentage of people planning to buy flowers remains in the mid-30s. This year, overall spending on flowers is expected to be $1.7 billion.

“Flowers are just the quintessential Valentine’s Day gift,” Cary said. “With it being on a Monday, a lot of men are going to be sending flowers to their loved ones at work so their co-workers can ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over them.”

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