Wednesday 13 February 2013

Valentine day - you've still time {just}

Valentine's day tomorrow.
The US retail trade body,   the National Retail Federation (NRF), says Valentine’s Day spending is expected to reach $18.6 billion this year. 
but then they, like our own BRC, take the highest figure they can find for headlines.

Valentine's will probably be flat sales for the US, where it is still a big day for flowers, chocolates etc.

Here, well, its long been a non day. Brits don't go big on expressions of mutual adoration. Its been a declining sales day and the corresponding retail space allocated has got smaller.
This year BQ industries bought in just 10% of what they had in the mid 2000's. Agency SOR make up the rest, but even they have delivered the smallest ever stands of the red stuff this year.

Valentine's suffers from being a fixed date. Easter and Mother's day are always Sundays. Difficult for suppliers to deliver on, but good days for us, as its easier to remember,
This year Valentine's falls very badly. Mid week, in a wet, windy and cold month, during a teetering, triple-dip recession.

 I would be very surprised if its going to set any records.

{Having said that, we in the Quango household usually make an effort. I have already sent the flowers, got the chocs, and card. And, even better I won some more roses on Guido's competition. So they are being delivered tomorrow. Question Time may well have to watch itself !}


9 comments:

Blue Eyes said...

My estate committee agreed unanimously to hold its next meeting tomorrow. I think as a nation we are beyond cynical about invented traditions like this!

Elby the Beserk said...

WTF happened to Valentine's Day? In my youth, it was for sending expressions of ardour, anonymously, to one you adored. Often when they didn't adore you.

Now it's a multi-million fest, and in the USA it is unbearable. Avoid the USA on Valentine's Day.

idle said...

BQ, your caption was a worthy winner. Maybe Mrs BQ will love you even more for your cleverness, but I wouldn't bet on it; I told Lady Idle that I had a letter in the Torygraph this morning and she said that if I wasn't getting paid for it she couldn't really see the point.

CityUnslicker said...

idle, you have chosen a good capitalist there. At least she did not say why not the Guardian.

My hatred of Valentine's day knows no bounds. When your single it make syou feel bad and when your not it makes you feel abused! Idiocy.

Blue Eyes said...

Idle's letter may make him some money in the long term. Or it may not...

James Higham said...

You smoothie, Bill.

Bill Quango MP said...

BE : So, I take it you're single?

Elby: They go mental for it over there.
In many ways we should copy it. Not Valentines necessarily, as that's a bit luvey dovey/duckey.

But its a long time from new year's to the first bank holiday {early this year on the 29th March} with not much to do.
Some special day, that the nation could embrace. "Anti-France day?"
An all home nations prize fight?

Idle. I had a much better caption.

"... walks into a bar and the barmaid says, 'why the long face?'
And the reply was "..Because I've lost my job and I'm going to prison."

Why isn't your letter on your blog? Update at once! That Steyn. Like PJ O'Rourke. Cutting wit.

CU - Not a romantic bone in the body.
Mrs CU better have a card unless you went to sleep in one of the little slicker's blow up travel bed.. CU. Its good for the economy. But today's figures are some of the worst on record. Snow , wind and rain. Looks to be around 50% of last years sales. So I'm quite pleased we held 90% less stock. Valentine's are pretty much the only thing sold . Very , very poor day.

JH: I'm sure you have your violin out to romance the missus?

asquith said...

Let's all have a pity party. Compulsory listening to my playlist :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4VgmBbSO8I

Agence communication said...

thanks so much for sharing with us those ideas "" Here, well, its long been a non day. Brits don't go big on expressions of mutual adoration. Its been a declining sales day and the corresponding retail space allocated has got smaller.
This year BQ industries bought in just 10% of what they had in the mid 2000's. Agency SOR make up the rest, but even they have delivered the smallest ever stands of the red stuff this year.

Valentine's suffers from being a fixed date. Easter and Mother's day are always Sundays. Difficult for suppliers to deliver on, but good days for us, as its easier to remember,
This year Valentine's falls very badly. Mid week, in a wet, windy and cold month, during a teetering, triple-dip recession.""