Feb 14, 2009

Valentine’s spending declines somewhat, but retailers still bet on romanceBy Heather NolanBeaumontEnterprise.com

Kacy Culp and her husband agreed not to exchange big gifts this Valentine’s Day. They probably will give each other cards, and Culp said her mother would take care of gifts for the kids.

Culp, 37, is among thousands of Americans who plan to spend less money on Valentine’s Day this year compared with last year, according to the National Retail Federation.

According to the retail group’s 2009 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, consumers plan to spend an average $102.50 on Valentine’s gifts and merchandise this year, down from last year’s $122.98 per person.

Still, that hasn’t stopped area retailers from decorating their stores with red and pink themes these last few days.

At H-E-B Plus on Dowlen Road, employees in the bakery department have been turning out chocolate-covered strawberries daily, and those in the floral department have arranged hundreds of roses.

Food leader Tinny Gillard said the strawberries are the No. 1-selling food item in the store on Valentine’s Day, followed by rib eye and T-bone steaks and lobsters.

The store’s chef, Richard Brown, will be on the floor through Saturday showing customers how to make easy-to-prepare meals using lobster – like lobster crab alfredo. But John Wesley said he won’t be taking any chances trying to impress his girlfriend with Brown’s tips.

Wesley, 35, said he plans to “keep it simple,” so he’ll buy his girlfriend diamonds and buy her a romantic crawfish and wine dinner.

According to the National Retail Federation, 47 percent of Americans share Wesley’s thoughts on cooking and will opt to have dinner at their favorite restaurant.

Greeting cards are the most popular Valentine’s Day gift, according to the National Retail Federation, followed by dinner at a restaurant, flowers, jewelry, clothing and gift cards.

Gillard said he expects flowers, balloon bouquets and greeting cards to be the most popular selling items at H-E-B.

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