Retailers brace for busy day
The Age
Monday February 14, 2011
Each year Australians spend tens of millions of dollars on cards, flowers, chocolates, dining and other gifts to woo their loved one on Valentine's Day.The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has surveyed members and found that Valentine's Day more than triples the weekly turnover of retailers who service the love industry such as florists and those who sell chocolate, lingerie and jewellery."This is one of the most important trading weeks of the year for many retailers," says Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA."Many turnover more than three days trading in one day particularly florists."Flowers and especially red roses, which symbolise love are the traditional Valentine's Day favourite. Apart from Mother's Day, Valentine's Day is the busiest time of the year for florists, according to Anna Chalabarczuk, marketing manager at Interflora."Millions of red rose stems will be sold across Australia today, keeping more than 1,300 Interflora florists not to mention hundreds of rose and flower growers absolutely flat out."The price of roses takes a titanic leap during Valentine's week, with a more than 300 per cent increase in the purchasing price of long-stem roses by florists in the week leading up to Valentine week, says Mr Zimmerman.
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