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Special Report  

Valentine's Choices: For Love or Money

By staff reporter ZHU HONG

People in love are not the only people in bliss on Valentine's Day. Merchants whose deals are related to this lover's commemoration are also active, doing their utmost to win customers.

 

On Valentine's Day, usually the price of flowers rises by 30-40 percent.

Brisk Business

One day a year Fu Na arrives in her small florist shop in Beijing before seven o'clock in the morning to get things ready for the annual phenomenon in her business: Valentine's Day. February 14 is a red letter day, since the profits made in those open hours can be higher than those earned in any normal two week period.

"I usually begin to make preparations for the holiday as early as two weeks beforehand," said Fu Na. "I have to keep an eye on trends in the flower market – tracking new varieties and prices of fresh flowers and finding an ample supply. Sometimes I have to order over a dozen special varieties of roses from Yunnan Province to be flown into Beijing." In addition, Fu Na has to consider hiring extra counter help. "On Valentine's Day, all the bouquets must be delivered to customers within one day, not like the orders on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, when a delivery date can be discussed. Several days before Valentine's Day my shop's business soars abruptly, and peaks on the day. I need more hands to cope with the sharp increase in customers," said Fu Na.

On Valentine's Day, the prices of fresh flowers usually rise by 30 to 100 percent, and higher still for red roses. On ordinary days, a single rose sells for RMB 3 (RMB 6.83 = US $1), but on that day fetches at least RMB 8. "Without ordering beforehand, a single rose sells for RMB 10 or more. Even so, the buyers may go out of my shop empty-handed, since on that day I quickly sell out of red roses," said Fu Na, shrugging.

Besides florist shops, some restaurants are decorated to cash in on the romance stirred up by Valentine's. Most restaurants promote set dinners for lovers, and the prices range from several hundred yuan to tens of thousands of yuan. In 2007 a five-star hotel in Shanghai made the news by introducing an RMB 380,000 Valentine package that included a deluxe dinner, one night in its presidential suite, a diamond ring, and other extravagances. The excess is matched only by a lovers' zeal. Customers form long lines in front of restaurants awaiting their turn. At some eateries, many people camp out in vain and leave with regret for not booking in advance. The swell in dining reservations limits the dining time of one pair of lovers to 1.5 hours. On Valentine's some restaurants serve only lovers; according to waiters, the chefs are too busy with the special menus to cook for regular diners.

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VOL.59 NO.12 December 2010 Advertise on Site Contact Us