The Indian market seems to get a boost every time there’s a festival approaching, western or Asian. While the tradition of celebrating love has deep roots in the West, India has embraced it in its own unique way. Likewise, the arrival of Valentine’s Day has already started to fill the market with demands for unique and mainstream gifts. In recent years, Valentine’s Day sales have seen a surge in consumer spending, making it a major retail event across multiple sectors. The year 2024 showed us some interesting sales figures and market trends that made us eager to look forward to 2025. On that note, here’s a breakdown of Valentine’s Day sales figures for the last year, along with forecasts for this year.
2024 Valentine’s Day Sales Overview in India
In 2024, Valentine’s Day sales in India reached an estimated ₹25,000 crore (approximately $3 billion), marking a significant increase from the previous year. Here’s a brief about the spending patterns across key categories for Valentine’s Day 2024 in India.
Flowers and Plants
Flowers are a fundamental gift during Valentine’s week. Starting right from Rose Day to V-Day, February is a month of flowers for lovers. Compared to 2023, 2024 witnessed a 12-15% growth in sales of flowers and plants. The flower industry in India experienced a surge of ₹3,500 crore spent on floral arrangements, including bouquets, exotic flowers, and plant gifts. Who says the younger generation has lost the old-school love touch?
Chocolates
During Valentine’s Week 2024, several retailers had record-breaking sales of chocolates. Some sellers sold over 500 chocolates per minute, putting a bar higher for them this year. This includes exotic chocolates, chocolate boxes, chocolate bouquets, exclusive packs, and individual bars. During this love season, men tend to shower the sweetness of their love to their women via chocolates that tend to uplift the romance between them.
Cakes
The demand for heart-shaped cakes and red velvet cakes skyrocket during the love season. Regardless, in 2024 cakes worth ₹13,500 crore were ordered by consumers in these 7 days. This means a whopping surge of 32% compared to the previous year. As a matter of fact, some major retailers claim to have sold 500 cakes per minute on Valentine’s Day.
Soft Toys
Soft toys, especially teddy bears are a popular gift during Valentine’s week. They are often given to loved ones on Teddy Day, the fourth day of Valentine’s week. In 2024, the gifting market witnessed a 120% increase in demand for teddy bears and related soft toys during Valentine’s Day. this token of affection represents warmth and care for the partner.
Jewelry
The jewelry market on Valentine’s Day in India is growing at an impressive rate. Multiple brands and stores come up with exclusive Valentine’s Day deals to boost their profits. Last year, people spent an estimated ₹4,000 crore on diamond, gold, and silver jewelry like rings, necklaces, etc. Married couples buy jewelry for their partners as a token of their love and investment, making it an emerging category for Valentine’s Day.
Gifts and Personalized Items
According to industry reports, consumers spent over ₹8,000 crore on gifts such as perfumes, personalized items, and accessories. Retailers reported a 15-20% increase in demand for personalized and customized products, such as engraved jewelry, albums, customized T-shirts, photo frames, and so on. Social media fuels this trend by showcasing couple goals aesthetically on screen.
Online Sales
E-commerce platforms played a critical role in driving sales, particularly for cakes, gifts, flowers, and personalized items. In 2024, 30-35% of Valentine’s Day sales in India were conducted online, reporting a 25% increase in traffic and sales. This shift to digital has made it easier for consumers to purchase gifts and experiences at their convenience.
Anticipated Valentine’s Day Sales in 2025
As we move into 2025, Valentine’s Day sales in India are expected to grow even further. Experts predict that the market could see a 15-18% increase in overall sales, potentially reaching ₹28,500 crore (around $3.5 billion). This growth will depend on several key factors:
Growing Influence of Social Media
Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and more undoubtedly continue to shape consumer behavior. In 2025, influencer marketing will play an even bigger role in driving Valentine’s Day sales. The public tends to copy the lifestyle of their online role models. Brands and retailers are likely to leverage influencer partnerships to create targeted campaigns in order to drive more profit. This trend will increase consumer spending on gifts, particularly on personalized or trending items.
Expansion of Online Shopping
As e-commerce continues to dominate shopping behaviors, online sales can boost around 40% in India by 2025. All the major and minor e-commerce giants flex their exclusive Valentine’s Day sales, featuring promotions, discounts, and bundled deals. This hyper-local delivery service for cakes, flowers, and gifts anywhere, anytime makes it easier for consumers to shop at the last minute from the comfort of their homes, further boosting online sales.
Rising Popularity of Valentine’s Day Among Younger Generation
Unlike before, the younger generation, including students and teenagers are increasingly participating in Valentine’s Day celebrations along with adult professionals. In fact, they are more active shoppers, contributing to the rising sales figures! Furthermore, if one does not have a romantic partner to be involved with, they encourage group celebrations like Galentine’s Day (girls’ Valentine’s Day), Valentine’s Day for parents, and more. This trend of celebrating the week beyond romantic fantasies and promoting self-love is expected to grow in 2025, driving sales in multiple categories.
As the trends continue to grow and influence, Valentine’s Day is set to become an even more prominent occasion for retail and commerce in the country. With anticipated sales reaching ₹28,500 crore in 2025, Valentine’s Day is quickly becoming one of the most lucrative retail events in India’s calendar.
