Demand for Classic V-Day Gifts Surges in Week Preceding Holiday
While some may be tempted to think outside the box when it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts, new data from ecommerce accelerator, Pattern, shows that classic gifts like roses, chocolates, and conversation hearts remain the overwhelming favorite among U.S. shoppers.
Why it matters: With the holiday fast approaching, ecommerce retailers will need to ensure they are well-stocked on the most popular gifts to keep consumers satisfied. According to our team’s analysis, the week leading up to Valentine’s Day is when demand for gifts is at its highest.
What we’re seeing: Our team analyzed demand data on Amazon U.S. Marketplace during every day of 2023 and 2024 so far to understand trends in what consumers are searching for the most in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day. Our findings revealed the following gifts to be among the most popular choices for American shoppers:
- Conversation Hearts saw a 1,079.17% increase in demand during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day compared to the 2023 average
- Roses +657.69%
- Valentine’s Day Decorations +452.14%
- Valentine’s Day Cards +365.23%
- Teddy Bears +266.8%
- Women’s Jewelry +179.58%
- Massagers +133.52%
- Wine +125.29%
- Flowers +114.12%
- Chocolate +84.82%
Good news: As inflation worries begin to ease, consumers can expect to pay less than the current average inflation rate (3.4%, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics) for many of the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts. Here’s how prices today compare to pricing during the same period last year:
- Lingerie decreased in price by 8% from January 2023 – January 2024
- Valentine’s Cards -7%
- Wine -6%
- Women’s Jewelry -5%
- Teddy Bears -4%
- Candy -3%
- Massagers -3%
- Valentine’s Day Decorations -3%
- Roses -1%
- Candles 0%
Yes, but: There are still some gifts that consumers should watch out for that may cost extra this year. These include:
- Robes increased in price by 18% from January 2023 – January 2024
- Conversation Hearts +16%
The takeaway: With a demonstrable preference for classic Valentine’s Day gifts, ecommerce retailers should take heed of this data by ensuring their shops are well-stocked with holiday favorites. And with inflation easing for many of the most popular gifts, retailers can expect a busy season ahead — particularly in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day.
Pattern’s data science team analyzed demand and pricing data on Amazon during every day of 2023 and 2024 so far to understand what online retailers can expect from the Valentine’s gift landscape this year. If you’d like to use insights like these to strengthen your ecommerce strategy, reach out to our team to learn more.
