Home > Social Butterfly > Archives > 2009 > February > 13
Friday, February 13, 2009
My frugal Valentine
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Image from Associated Content
Cupid’s cutting back this year.
A number of studies show retailers aren’t feeling much love this Valentine’s Day, as shoppers indicate they’ll spend less
This survey from the National Retail Federation says we’ll each spend an average of $102.50 on Valentine’s gifts and merchandise, down from last year’s $122.98.
Similarly, IBIS World Research has released a study charmingly titled Can’t Buy Me Love, which says Americans will spend $28.6 billion this holiday, a 4.8 percent drop from last year and a 6.8 percent drop since 2007.
But a study from AT&T suggests consumers haven’t let a tight economy completely trump romance.
The communications giant found that its customers say text-messaging is complementing - but not replacing - traditional Valentine’s greetings.
While 48 percent of texters said getting a Valentine’s Day text message has the same or more meaning as a card, and more than two-thirds of texters feel that way about receiving a picture message, most of them are going to buy an actual card as well.
Of the 36 percent of texters who intend to send a Valentine’s text or picture message, 67 percent percent also plan to send a traditional card, the AT&T study found.
Are you cutting back this year? Doing away with Valentine’s gifts altogether? Or have you found a little room in your budget to celebrate?
