NEW YORK—Every year, store fronts are covered in an explosion of red and pink in preparation for what some call the most romantic day of the year. From roses in flower shops, to specialty heart-shaped deserts and all kinds of heartfelt knickknacks, walking through the city it was no mystery that Valentine’s Day was on Sunday.
But who was on the receiving end of the love notes this year? In several stores selling Valentine’s Day cards, it wasn’t hard to tell who had bought cards and who hadn’t. Judging by what was left on the shelves, cards that were themed “romance,” “romance for her,” “for someone special,” and “for Mom” were all cleaned out, while the “husband” sections were still well stacked.
“Men are mostly buying,” said a Duane Reade clerk in Midtown. She said that it’s mostly middle aged men, and while card sales were going strong, she said Valentine’s Day related merchandise wasn’t going as well.
A street vendor selling oversized Valentine’s Day cards agreed. He said it was mostly men who bought cards for their wives or girlfriends. He said that the cards were doing well and that they were selling. “I’m having a good day.”
Sandeep Panwar, a clerk working at the Paradise Plants shop in the flower district said that the last two days have been good for business. He noticed a different trend in the sales of flowers. By his observations, it was mostly young couples coming in together and buying the classic red rose bouquets.
Just down the street, another flower vendor, Mohamed Rasid told a different story. He said that Valentine’s Day sales for him are not even close to what they were in previous years, due to the economy. He said that out of the 15 bouquets of roses he had since eight in the morning, he only sold four by five o’clock. “It’s February, if it’s not going to pick up now, when is it going to,” said Rasid. He said that he didn’t anticipate getting even half of the expected revenue.
Whether you chose to buy gifts or take your sweetheart some place special, there certainly wasn’t a shortage of ways to celebrate in the city. Some couples said they were going to dinner, while others decided to go to the theatre for a live show. Michelle and Joe, a young couple in their twenties said that they mailed each other gifts but didn’t have anything specific planned. Elio, 26, said that for him Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. He says that he often buys chocolates and flowers for his friends on this special day.
Additional reporting by Kristina Skorbach
But who was on the receiving end of the love notes this year? In several stores selling Valentine’s Day cards, it wasn’t hard to tell who had bought cards and who hadn’t. Judging by what was left on the shelves, cards that were themed “romance,” “romance for her,” “for someone special,” and “for Mom” were all cleaned out, while the “husband” sections were still well stacked.
“Men are mostly buying,” said a Duane Reade clerk in Midtown. She said that it’s mostly middle aged men, and while card sales were going strong, she said Valentine’s Day related merchandise wasn’t going as well.
A street vendor selling oversized Valentine’s Day cards agreed. He said it was mostly men who bought cards for their wives or girlfriends. He said that the cards were doing well and that they were selling. “I’m having a good day.”
Sandeep Panwar, a clerk working at the Paradise Plants shop in the flower district said that the last two days have been good for business. He noticed a different trend in the sales of flowers. By his observations, it was mostly young couples coming in together and buying the classic red rose bouquets.
Just down the street, another flower vendor, Mohamed Rasid told a different story. He said that Valentine’s Day sales for him are not even close to what they were in previous years, due to the economy. He said that out of the 15 bouquets of roses he had since eight in the morning, he only sold four by five o’clock. “It’s February, if it’s not going to pick up now, when is it going to,” said Rasid. He said that he didn’t anticipate getting even half of the expected revenue.
Whether you chose to buy gifts or take your sweetheart some place special, there certainly wasn’t a shortage of ways to celebrate in the city. Some couples said they were going to dinner, while others decided to go to the theatre for a live show. Michelle and Joe, a young couple in their twenties said that they mailed each other gifts but didn’t have anything specific planned. Elio, 26, said that for him Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. He says that he often buys chocolates and flowers for his friends on this special day.
Additional reporting by Kristina Skorbach
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