ColumnistsJan 24, 2023
On Data: Here’s How Independent Jewelers Did in 2022 SurveysJan 30, 2023
Consumers Embracing Non-Traditional Ways to Mark Valentine’s Day
The NRF’s annual survey shows that consumer attitudes about how, or even whether, to celebrate Feb. 14 continue to evolve.
For its annual Valentine’s Day survey, the National Retail Federation polled more than 7,000 consumers, asking them how much they plan to spend and where they will shop for gifts and other Valentine’s Day-related items.
Washington, D.C.—The National Retail Federation has released its annual Valentine’s Day survey, which gives insight into what U.S. consumers plan to do and give this Feb. 14, and how much they plan to spend.
NRF conducted the survey between Jan. 3-11, polling 7,616 U.S. adult consumers.
Jewelry was the sixth most popular gift to give mentioned by survey-takers, behind the Valentine’s Day standards of candy (57 percent), greeting cards (40 percent), flowers (37 percent), an evening out (32 percent), and a gift of experience, meaning concert tickets, a spa day, skydiving, etc. (32 percent).
Twenty-one percent of consumers polled said they plan to give jewelry as a gift, with total spending potentially topping $5.5 billion.
Jewelry topped both gift cards (20 percent) and clothing (19 percent) as Valentine’s Day gifts this year.
The NRF’s survey also showed consumer attitudes about whether to celebrate Valentine’s Day, as well as how and with whom, continue to evolve in lockstep with attitudes about traditional romantic relationships.
The percentage of survey-takers who said they plan to celebrate Feb. 14 continues to hover around 50 percent (52 percent this year, down slightly from 53 percent last year), as it has for the past decade.
The last time the percentage of Valentine’s Day devotees topped 50 percent was 2013, when it stood at 60 percent.
However, a not-insignificant percentage of respondents said they plan to observe the day in a less traditional manner.
Related stories will be right here …
NRF conducted the survey between Jan. 3-11, polling 7,616 U.S. adult consumers.
Jewelry was the sixth most popular gift to give mentioned by survey-takers, behind the Valentine’s Day standards of candy (57 percent), greeting cards (40 percent), flowers (37 percent), an evening out (32 percent), and a gift of experience, meaning concert tickets, a spa day, skydiving, etc. (32 percent).
Twenty-one percent of consumers polled said they plan to give jewelry as a gift, with total spending potentially topping $5.5 billion.
Jewelry topped both gift cards (20 percent) and clothing (19 percent) as Valentine’s Day gifts this year.
The NRF’s survey also showed consumer attitudes about whether to celebrate Valentine’s Day, as well as how and with whom, continue to evolve in lockstep with attitudes about traditional romantic relationships.
The percentage of survey-takers who said they plan to celebrate Feb. 14 continues to hover around 50 percent (52 percent this year, down slightly from 53 percent last year), as it has for the past decade.
The last time the percentage of Valentine’s Day devotees topped 50 percent was 2013, when it stood at 60 percent.
However, a not-insignificant percentage of respondents said they plan to observe the day in a less traditional manner.
According to the NRF, 28 percent of the survey-takers who said they don’t plan to officially celebrate Valentine’s Day will still mark the day in some way, by seeking out non-Valentine’s Day gifts, treating themselves to something special, or planning a get-together or evening out with single friends and/or family members.
Meanwhile, those formally celebrating Feb. 14 plan to spend more money on people (or animals) who aren’t their significant others this year.
The average amount consumers plan to spend this Valentine’s Day is $192.80, up about $17 when compared with last year ($175.41).
While the average planned spending on gifts for significant others and family members held steady around $130, the amount people plan to spend on pets, friends, coworkers and their children’s teachers and/or classmates rose to $52.65 from $38.36 last year.
Some other points of note from the NRF’s Valentine’s Day survey:
-- Consumers ages 35 to 44 plan to spend the most of any age group, an average of $335.71 for gifts and other Valentine’s Day items;
-- The top shopping destination for Valentine’s Day gifts is online (35 percent), followed by department stores (34 percent), discount stores (31 percent) and specialty stores (18 percent);
-- More than half of consumers surveyed this year said they plan to take advantage of any sales or promotions; and
-- The percentage of consumers planning to give a gift of experience (32 percent) is up from 26 percent last year and 24 percent in 2021—when the pandemic hampered people’s ability to get out—and the highest since the NRF started asking about experiences-as-gifts in 2017.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Surveys
The Latest
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More JewelryThe time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic DesignFrom striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid TurnaroundThe jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair ServicesThe auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.
