Food and drink gifts to be 'most popular' as more shoppers intend to spend on Valentine’s Day

Almost half of UK consumers intend to spend on Valentine’s Day this year or have already started to spend on it, bringing an immense opportunity for retailers to utilise the popularity of this occasion and encourage larger basket sizes and boost average spending.

GlobalData’s latest report, “Retail Occasions: Valentine’s Day Intentions 2025,” reveals 69.3 per cent of UK 25–34-year-olds intend to spend on this occasion, marking a 7.8 percentage points (ppts) uplift on 2024 intentions. This age group will account for almost a quarter of Valentine’s Day shoppers in 2025, meaning this is a core target demographic for retailers.

Zoe Mills, Lead Retail Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Intention to spend on Valentine’s Day is high, but few consumers have started to spend on this occasion so far in January, meaning retailers still have plenty of time to entice shoppers to purchase.

"The grocers are in the best position, with the intention to spend the highest among the food and drink and gifting categories. Romance-themed meal deals including prosecco/champagne, should be promoted at the front of stores.

“However, with the target audience likely to have children, retailers should also include Valentine’s Day-themed products that appeal to a much younger audience. Retailers should emulate Marks & Spencer’s range, including items like Love Hearts Biscuit Kits, enabling adults and children to decorate heart-themed biscuits.”

While partners are the main recipients among Valentine’s Day gift shoppers, more consumers intend to spend on their children for the event, highlighting that this occasion is not just about romantic love but also familial love, coupled with self-love and the appreciation of one’s friends.

Mills continues, “There is ample opportunity for retailers to broaden their reach with this occasion and ensuring a variety of more generic love-themed designs will enable their products to be gifted to a broad range of recipients. 11.9% of Valentine’s shoppers intend to purchase gifts for friends, up 3.2ppts on 2024.

"This trend is driven by Gen Z consumers, with 59 per cent of this generation stating that Valentine’s Day is not just an occasion to treat their partner and that they like to buy gifts or cards for other loved ones. Events such as Galentine’s Day parties, celebrating friendship, may still be niche but must not be ignored by retailers.”

GlobalData expects that food and drink gifts will be the most popular among Valentine’s Day shoppers, and retailers must ensure plenty of food and drink gift sets to appeal to shoppers, focusing on confectionery and alcoholic drink gift sets.

Mills concludes, “Retailers must focus on food and drink gifts, where the intention to spend is high. The higher intention to spend on these items also implies that Valentine’s Day gifts are more of a token than an excuse to splurge on premium options such as fine jewellery, and retailers must ensure a broad pricing architecture to appeal.

"Flowers are also an accessible option for male Valentine’s Day shoppers, and providing a broad range to cater to different colour preferences is crucial.

"Red roses or red and pink bouquets should not be the only options; fun and colourful bouquets could appeal to those looking for something less traditional and more generally to those seeking these gifts for friends.”