Maybe money can buy love this Valentine’s Day? : NPR

Welcome to a new NPR series where we explore the people and things that make headlines and the stories behind them.

Being alive seems expensive lately, and rising commodity prices have certainly not spared Valentine’s Day staples like flowers, candy, or a nice dinner at a restaurant.

Who are they? Many Americans who will spend an estimated $25.9 billion looking after their loved ones (and others) for the holiday.

  • That figure has risen from $23.9 billion in 2022, according to the National Retail Federation. According to their survey, about half of all consumers over the age of 18 plan to celebrate the holiday, with each person spending an average of $192.80. (It’s like 11 packs of funny dip packs.)
  • This amount of spending is not just for lovers. A survey of 7,616 American adults found gifts for friends, pets, and co-workers included in the budget.
  • Candy is the most popular Valentine’s Day gift, followed by greeting cards, flowers, a date, jewelry, gift cards, and clothing. For some reason, there is no funko on this list.
  • The report doesn’t mention that inflation affects how much people spend, but as NPR reports, it’s definitely a factor.

Do you think? Love is always great! But beyond that, it’s an interesting spending trend considering how many Americans are struggling financially. And they are not the only ones.

  • For rose farmers in countries such as Ethiopia, Colombia or Ecuador, Valentine’s Day is considered one of the most important days of the year. But this is not necessarily the case.
  • NPR economics correspondent Stacey Vanek Smith spoke to a farmer in Ecuador who says that due to the impact of inflation, labor costs, electricity costs and the war in Ukraine affecting their fertilizer prices, they have had to raise prices by 50-100%. . and still trying hard to keep up.
  • With the additional costs of transportation and distribution, profits are too small for many farmers, says one of the world’s largest flower information clearinghouse.

What do people say?

Michel van Shie, spokesperson for Royal FloraHolland, on the rose market and if there is a shortage:

“Some manufacturers have decided to stop production. And this, of course, affects the quantity and quality of roses.

I would say don’t wait until noon for Valentine’s Day, because then you might be late.”

Maria Fernanda, a farmer from Eden Roses in Ecuador, talks about the past year for her business:

“It’s hard, it must have been one of the hardest times. We don’t know what will happen.”

Chris Palliser, owner of a flower shop in New York.

“Valentine’s Day is the Super Bowl. For us, this is the biggest holiday of the year.”

Now what?

  • The average price for a bunch of roses in the US is around $80, which is very expensive considering many are still struggling to keep up with the uncertain trajectory of inflation.
  • I think I should say something here about love being priceless…

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