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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-24
Self-Gifting Reaches 33% of Valentine's Day Shoppers
One in three Valentine's Day shoppers (33%) plan to buy gifts for themselves in 2026, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward self-care and personal reward . Self-Gifting Statistics: 27% of consumers had already bought themselves a Valentine's Day gift by early February 13% explicitly identify as self-gifters Among self-gifters: 35% buy clothing/accessories, 25% buy beauty/self-care products, 32% treat themselves to restaurant meals John Shapiro, Lightspeed Commerce's chief product and technology officer, stated: "Self-gifting is something we've been tracking for several years, but its normalization has accelerated more recently... When 27% of consumers say they've already bought themselves a Valentine's Day gift, and 13% explicitly identify as self-gifters, it points to a behavior that's become socially accepted rather than situational" .
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-24
Friends, Co-Workers, and Teachers Join Gift Lists
Valentine's Day spending is expanding beyond romantic partners, with consumers spreading their budgets across multiple recipients . Gifting Breakdown: Friends: 33% of consumers, spending $2.4 billion Children's classmates/teachers: 27% of consumers, spending $2.2 billion Co-workers: 21% of consumers, spending $1.7 billion Other family members: 58%, spending $4.5 billion Melissa Minkow, global director of retail strategy at CI&T, told Inside Retail: "It's very smart of brands to move this way, considering the singles population continues to grow, and because 65% of consumers told us they expect prices to go up in the next few years. It's a lot easier to justify self-spend than it is gifting!"
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-24
Pets Become Fastest-Growing Gift Category at $2.1 Billion
A record 35% of consumers plan to purchase Valentine's Day gifts for their pets in 2026, totaling **$2.1 billion** – up from $1.7 billion in 2025, representing 23.5% year-over-year growth, far outpacing the overall 5.8% increase . Pet Gift Trends: Special toys, accessories, and treats for dogs, cats, and other animals Fastest-growing category in Valentine's Day spending Reflects broader shift toward pet parenting and expanded gift lists Katherine Cullen added: "Whether it's a dog, cat or other animal, consumers are looking to celebrate their pets this Valentine's Day with a special toy, accessory or treat"
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-24
Valentine's Day 2026 Spending Expected to Reach Record $29.1 Billion
Consumer spending on Valentine's Day is expected to reach a record $29.1 billion in 2026, surpassing the previous record of $27.5 billion set in 2025, according to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics . Key Spending Metrics: Average shopper budget: **$199.78** (record high, up from $188.81 in 2025) Over half (55%) of U.S. consumers intend to celebrate Spending on romantic partners: $14.5 billion Jewelry leads spending at **$7 billion**, followed by evening out ($6.3 billion), clothing ($3.5 billion), and flowers ($3.1 billion) Katherine Cullen, NRF's VP of Industry and Consumer Insights, stated: "Much of that growth is driven by middle- and high-income shoppers who are expanding their gift lists to include friends, co-workers and even pets in addition to loved ones" .
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-24
Where Americans Are Shopping: Online Leads
Americans are shopping across multiple channels for Valentine's Day 2026, with online shopping leading . Shopping Channel Preferences: Online: 38% Department stores: 35% Discount stores: 30% Specialty stores: 21%
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-24
UK Valentine's Day Intentions Report 2026
GlobalData's Retail Occasions Series report on UK Valentine's Day intentions reveals changing consumer behavior and spending patterns . Key Findings: Proportion of consumers intending to buy at least one item has remained broadly flat versus 2024 Leisure spend is expected to decline as consumers plan to celebrate with movie nights, takeaways, and romantic meals at home Partners remain the most popular gift recipients, but shoppers increasingly look to recognize friends, family, and pets Survey Coverage: Gifting categories by gender and age Online vs in-store shopping preferences Spending intentions and budgets Consumer opinions on Valentine's Day
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-24
Domori Chocolate Collection: From Gianduja Hearts to Jewelry Collaborations
Domori introduced its Valentine's Day 2026 chocolate collection, featuring premium Criollo cocoa and collaborations with jewelry brand Trollbeads . Collection Highlights: Gianduja Heart: Classic romantic gift with QR code personal message option Heart-shaped Tin Box: Available with Giandujotti or Criollo 70% chocolate hearts Domori x Trollbeads Collectible Tins: Chocolate paired with leather or sterling silver bracelets Single Origin Gift Boxes: Showcasing cocoa from six different origins Dubai Style Chocolate: Pistachio cream with crunchy kataifi pastry
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-24
Friends and Galentine's Gaining Importance
Valentine's Day spending is expanding beyond romantic partners, with gifts for friends, co-workers, and classmates becoming increasingly significant . Gifting Breakdown: Friends: 33% of consumers, spending $2.4 billion Children's classmates/teachers: 27% of consumers, spending $2.2 billion Co-workers: 21% of consumers, spending $1.7 billion UK Market Trend: The proportion of UK consumers intending to purchase for Valentine's Day has remained broadly flat versus 2024, but shoppers increasingly look to recognize friends, family, and pets
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-24
Last-Minute Gift Guide from John Lewis
John Lewis published a last-minute Valentine's Day gift guide for 2026, featuring thoughtful picks across categories . For Her: Ralph Lauren Polo Play Small Leather Tote Bag NEOM Wellbeing London for Day and Night Gift Set Daisy London Birthstone Pendant Necklace For Him: Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum Bowers & Wilkins Noise-Cancelling Headphones SAXX Vibe Xtra Trunks For Galentine's: John Lewis Stripe Alphabet Makeup Bag ENAMEL Copenhagen Split Twin Right Heart Charm Chateau d'Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé Wine Novelty Gifts: Chococo Milk Chocolate Love Lobster Jellycat Amuseables Football Bag Charm LEGO Heart Ornament
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-24
HK Study: Valentine's Budgets Shift to Traditional Entertainment
A Hong Kong survey of 517 couples found changing Valentine's Day celebration patterns, with movie-watching emerging as the top activity and consumer budgets shifting toward conservative spending . Hong Kong Findings: Top Male Activities: Watching movies (52%), "北上旅游" (21%) Top Female Activities: Shopping (42%), "北上旅游" (23%) In-home celebrations dropped from 48% to 11% for men year-over-year Budget Preferences: Men: 36% budget $501-1,000 HKD Women: 54% budget under $500 HKD 93% of men and 83% of women prefer shopping in physical stores Most Wanted Gifts: Men: Digital electronics (42%) Women: Watches or jewelry (56%), up from 51% last year A Hong Kong survey of 517 couples found changing Valentine's Day celebration patterns, with movie-watching emerging as the top activity and consumer budgets shifting toward conservative spending . Hong Kong Findings: Top Male Activities: Watching movies (52%), "北上旅游" (21%) Top Female Activities: Shopping (42%), "北上旅游" (23%) In-hom
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