by Fronetics | Feb 12, 2018 | Blog, Current Events, Logistics, Manufacturing & Distribution, Supply Chain
As Cupid spreads his wings, gifts of experience and romantic, at-home options will take over the market for Valentine’s Day 2018.
Consumers will spend a near-record $19.2 billion on Valentine’s Day 2018, up from $18.2 billion in 2017. According to NRF’s annual survey, over half of the country will participate (55%) in the romantic holiday, spending just over $140 on average.
Gifts of experience
A new Valentine’s trend is giving gifts of experience, such as a spa treatment, concert tickets, or a cooking class. Almost half of celebrants said they would prefer a gift of experience, and 23% said they plan on giving a gift of experience. Blue Apron’s Love at First Bite targets couples looking for gifts of experience with a foolproof, stay-at-home option for Valentine’s Day 2018. And they’re not the only ones! Hello Fresh, Plated and even Whole Foods are publishing blog articles and offering meal options for creating the perfect Valentine’s dinner from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Out on the town
The NRF’s survey also found that younger people (ages 18-34) are more likely to take their Valentine out for the evening than older generations. So it’s no surprise that 6 out of 10 younger celebrants (ages 18-34) would also prefer a gift of experience over candy and flowers.
Mobile trend
95% of Americans own a cell phone. The growing connection between smartphones and digital information is starting to take over Valentine’s Day, as well. Over half of participants plan to use their smartphones to assist with Valentine’s Day purchase decisions. Nearly 40% said they plan to use their cell phone to research products and compare prices.
Tradition prevails
Not to worry, though: Celebrants will still purchase plenty of flowers, jewelry and candy to mark the holiday. Celebrants are most likely to give candy as a gift, followed by greeting cards, flowers, and an evening out.
Here’s a look at how U.S. consumers will be celebrating Valentine’s Day 2018.
Valentine’s Day 2018 Supply Chain Infographic
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by Fronetics | Feb 14, 2017 | Blog, Current Events, Logistics, Manufacturing & Distribution, Supply Chain
Consumers will spend $18.2 billion on Valentine’s Day 2017, down from a record-high 19.7 billion in 2016, according to the National Retail Federation.
Did you purchase something sweet for your loved one to mark the special occasion this Valentine’s Day? You won’t be alone in your pursuit to find the perfect box of chocolates. According to staticsbrain.com, 47.5% of consumers celebrating Valentine’s Day 2017 will purchase chocolate or candy, and retailers will sell over 36 million heart-shaped chocolate boxes.
Connection between chocolate and Valentine’s Day
The history of the love of chocolate dates back to the Mesoamerican time, when it was viewed as a luxury item by the Mayan and Aztec upper-class elites. It wasn’t long until the popularity of the confection took over Europe and, centuries later, landed in America. Richard Cadbury created the first box of chocolates in 1868, and from there the commercialization of the treat grew. Chocolatier giants, such as Hersey and Russell Stover, have created a $98 billion industry.
Labor of love: chocolate and supply chain
When you purchase the little heart- shaped box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day this year, remember the labor of love that went into creating those delicious sweets. From the small cocoa farmers in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to the cocoa processors to the chocolate manufacturers and retailers, there are many hands that work together before the product reaches you, the consumer. These products — and gift-givers everywhere — rely on the logistics and supply chain industries each Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day 2017 Infographic
Here’s a quick look at how U.S. consumers will spend — literally and figuratively — this Valentine’s Day.
(Made with Canva)
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![The Valentine’s Day Supply Chain [Infographic]](https://www.fronetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Valentines-Day-Supply-Chain1-800x675.jpg)
by Fronetics | Feb 3, 2015 | Blog, Strategy, Supply Chain
The Valentine’s Day supply chain by the numbers.
In the late 400s Gelasius declared February 14th as a day for honoring Saint Valentine. Over the years February 14th became associated with love and romance (1300s) and the exchange of cards (1600s). In the 1840s the first mass produced Valentine’s Day cards were sold in the US.
Over the years Valentine’s Day has become big business. 62% of adults in the US say that they celebrate the holiday. Spending for Valentine’s Day tops $13.9 billion. $8.9 billion is spent on sparkling wine (174,000 gallons are sold during the holiday week alone). The number of cards and gifts exchanged totals 150 million.
Cupid gets the credit for the holiday, but really Valentine’s Day is the work of logistics and supply chain. UPS alone transports more than 3,000 tons of flowers for Valentine’s Day – requiring the company to add an additional 130 flight segments.
Check out our infographic. You’ll see that Cupid really doesn’t play much of a role (sorry Cupid).
by Fronetics | Feb 3, 2015 | Blog, Strategy, Supply Chain
The Valentine’s Day supply chain by the numbers.
In the late 400s Gelasius declared February 14th as a day for honoring Saint Valentine. Over the years February 14th became associated with love and romance (1300s) and the exchange of cards (1600s). In the 1840s the first mass produced Valentine’s Day cards were sold in the US.
Over the years Valentine’s Day has become big business. 62% of adults in the US say that they celebrate the holiday. Spending for Valentine’s Day tops $13.9 billion. $8.9 billion is spent on sparkling wine (174,000 gallons are sold during the holiday week alone). The number of cards and gifts exchanged totals 150 million.
Cupid gets the credit for the holiday, but really Valentine’s Day is the work of logistics and supply chain. UPS alone transports more than 3,000 tons of flowers for Valentine’s Day – requiring the company to add an additional 130 flight segments.
Check out our infographic. You’ll see that Cupid really doesn’t play much of a role (sorry Cupid).
