It’s February 14th and love is in the air. This year more than half of us – nearly 60 percent according to the National Retail Federation – will celebrate Valentine’s Day in many different ways. But what do you get that special someone?
If you need some ideas, you may not need to look any further than your local newspaper. According to USDA Market News, which tracks market prices and trends, stores and retailers offer help by featuring some holiday favorites—roses, steak, lobster and strawberries—in their sale ads the week before the big day.
Even though tulips and Gerbera daisies outsell roses on an annual basis, February 14th is the most popular day of the year for roses. Red roses rank number one, followed by pink—both colors symbolizing love. In 2012, Valentine’s Day also ranked number one for fresh strawberry promotions in supermarkets. The average ad price for one pound of fresh strawberries was 6 percent lower than the average price the rest of the year, making them a tempting treat for many sweethearts.
According to USDA’s Economic Research Service, in 2011 households spent just over 42 percent of their annual food budget on eating out. While Valentine’s Day is expected to have the highest rate of restaurant diners each calendar year, many people fix dinner for their sweeties at home. Our Market News retail reports from 2012 show that stores advertised lower Valentine’s Day prices for New York strip steaks and boneless ribeyes, with those cuts priced 7 percent and 12 percent lower than their yearly average. Of course, the most advertised cut is filet mignon, which appeared in Valentine’s Day ads three times more frequently than any other cut.
These retail facts and figures are just one aspect of the comprehensive reporting by USDA Market News, a part of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). We have been providing market information on cotton, dairy, livestock and grains, poultry and eggs, and fruits and vegetables for over 90 years. By visiting USDA Market News online you can view hundreds of pre-made commodity reports or create a custom report to see only the information you need.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
