For the first time ever, Coles is lifting the veil on what sets hearts-a-flutter this Valentine’s Day, revealing how Australians celebrate Cupid’s special day right across the country.
New research suggests the keys to customers’ hearts come in many different shapes and sizes, with each state choosing to celebrate romance in different ways as Aussies get ready to spend $415 million on Valentine’s Day gifts this year1.
When it comes to expressing those three little words, nothing is more classic than saying it with a big bouquet of blooms, and customers in New South Wales spoil their loved ones by purchasing enough flowers to stretch from the Harbour Bridge to Parliament House in the ACT – more than triple the amount of Valentine’s bouquets purchased by customers in Tasmania and the South Australia combined.
While roses are still the pick of the bunch for Valentine’s Day, all types of flowers will be in hot demand, with 40% of Australians planning on gifting flowers to loved ones2. Coles expects to see high demand across all floral assortments, including unique varieties like the Native Australian floral bouquet – grown and supplied by Aussie florists – and the new Love Lips leafy foliage houseplant-in-pot in the week leading to the big day.
As 30% of Aussies plan to buy chocolates, food, and alcohol for Valentine’s Day3, Coles shoppers across the country are expected to purchase the equivalent weight of a jumbo jet’s worth of boxed chocolate nationwide for gifting on Valentine’s Day.
Queensland tops the list for the most boxed chocolates sold per capita for Valentine’s Day, eating the equivalent average weight of six adult African elephants worth of chocolate to mark the occasion, closely followed by Western Australia.
For Victorians, love is all about teddy bears, candles, and handwritten cards, with shoppers in the state spending 15% more on sentimental and novelty gifts than Western Australia and South Australia.
Sales of cards and merchandise gifts nationally see a significant spike close to the big day, with a 50% sales uplift across cards and non-food gifting occurring in the two days leading up to, and day of, Valentine’s Day, making Coles the perfect destination for last-minute gifts including plush toys like the Teddy Bear with Heart Balloon or Animated Dancing Cactus and sentimental scents like the Valentine’s Day Heart Glass Candle.
In terms of raising a glass to romance, the country’s romantic heart is located at its political centre, with customers in the Capital Territory popping the most sparkling and champagne to celebrate Valentine’s Day – followed closely by romantics in Australia’s wine-growing capital of South Australia.
But there’s more than one way to toast love on February 14, with Coles customer research revealing more beer is sold than any other beverage in the lead up to Valentine’s Day across the nation, while Queensland, Victoria, or Western Australia go long on pre-mixed drinks.
Coles Chief Executive of Commercial and Express Greg Davis said Coles has something for everyone to celebrate their relationships this Valentine’s Day.
“Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to spoil our loved ones and show them how special they are to us – be it our partners, our friends or our families,” Greg said.
“Choosing the right Valentine’s Day gift is a personal and sentimental experience, so however and whoever you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with this year, Coles is helping make it one to remember with our wide range of gifting options.”
With a recent survey from analysts Roy Morgan showing that only 8% of Australians are planning to spend their Valentine’s Day dining out this year4, coles&co is helping customers spread the love at home, with a variety of recipe suggestions, tips and meal plans available online to help prepare the perfect romantic night in.
For the early birds planning ahead of the big day next Monday, they can now shop Valentine’s essentials at Coles including:
Sweet treats:
- Ferrero Raffaello Heart 10 Pack 100g, Ferrero Rocher Heart 8 Pack 100g, Mars Maltesers Box 400g or Celebrations Box 320g: was $12, now $6 save 50%
- Lindt Lindor Heart Tin 147g: was $16, now $8 save 50%
- Lindt Lindor Gift Box 235g: was $20, now $10, save 50%
- Cadbury Favourites Boxed Chocolate 880g: was $30, now $15, save 50%
- Cadbury Roses Boxed Chocolate 450g: was $16, now $8, save 50%
Cards and gifting:
- Hallmark Valentine’s Day Cards: from $5 – $12 each.
- Mug in Gift Box: $4 each
- Bear with Balloon: was $12, now $8 each, save 33%
- Valentine’s Day candles: $8 each
- Valentine’s Day Animated Dancing Cactus: was $20, now $15 each, save 25%
Beautiful blooms:
- Ace of Hearts single red rose: $12
- Tulip Surprise tulip bunch: $25
- Love Lips plant in pot: $25
- Anthurium gift pot: $35
- Queen of Hearts boxed flower arrangement: $35
- 6 of Hearts half dozen red rose and baby’s breath bouquet: $35
- King of Hearts red rose dozen bouquet: $55
Drinks to clink:
- Liquorland Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot Noir: $20 from 11/2 – 14/2
- First Choice Liquor Market Charles De Cazanove Brut Rose: $40 from 11/2 – 14/2
- First Choice Liquor Market FCLM Charles De Cazanove Sparkling: $37 from 11/2 – 14/2
1-4 – Roy Morgan Finding no. 8888 2022: A lot of love to share with Valentine’s Day to deliver a $415 million spending boon
