On February 14th, lovers celabrate this day in several countries. Its origin comes from Great Britain in the XIVth century. This day was chosen because people thougt it was this day that birds mate. Valentin de Terni, a monk or a priest in the IIIrd century was martyrized under the imperor Claude IInd the gothic. He became the saint patron of lovers in 1496.
Love, a question of business?
Each year, a few weeks before the event, shops sell items concerning love: cards, hearts appears everywhere (on mugs, on clothes, underwears, on cushions....). You can see a lot of red in shops.
Chefs restaurateurs, florists, perfumers, jewellers take the opportunity to do the promotion of their goods or their menus. Even bakers make special cakes. It is a commercial celabration too.
In 2016, 24,8 millions of euros were been expended for flowers and other plants. Forists sells mostly roses and the favorite colour remains the red one.
Perfumes for women is a good business when it is Saint-Valentin day. In 2013, total sales recorded 80,7 millions € of sales revenues.
Underwears for women are a famous present too. If men offer underwear for their partner, women buy for themselves an underwear to wear for this event. A brand of this sector declares than his sales triple or quadruple during the week of Saint Valentin.Chef restaurateurs are very happy. The rooms are full. tables are booked mainly by men. French spend from 40 to 100 euros per persons. A restaurant online sees bookings doubled quickly.
Unlike restaurants, master chocolatiers don't make a big sales revenues this day and travel agencies too.And what about lovers?
It is a celabration which is waited by lovers. The fact to wish a happy Saint-Valentin makes happy and it is enough. But for some persons, they feel obliged to offer a gift in oder not to offense their partner. This event is celabrated different ways : with gift or without, a dinner at home or in a restaurant. That depends of the budget and of the character of each.
