Kolkata's Valentine's Week Sales Surge: Rs 800 Crore Business Expected
Kolkata is experiencing a significant surge in sales of flowers, gifts, soft toys, cakes, and chocolates as Valentine's Week celebrations continue, having kicked off last Saturday. Popular food outlets across the city are reporting heavy pre-bookings for Valentine's Day lunches and dinners, indicating robust consumer enthusiasm.
Business Projections and Market Trends
According to Sushil Poddar, president of the Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations, this Valentine's Week could generate business worth approximately Rs 800 crore. This impressive figure includes not only traditional items but also jewellery sales, which have become increasingly popular among couples celebrating the occasion.
"Nowadays, many couples gift jewellery to each other to celebrate this occasion. This year, the Valentine's Day market is witnessing an uptick in sales," Poddar explained. He further detailed the market breakdown: about 40% of the business is coming from chocolates and cakes, 20% from rose sales, and the remaining from various gifts.
Rose Prices Skyrocket Amid High Demand
The demand for roses has led to a dramatic price increase of 100-150%. On Rose Day, which fell last Saturday, red roses were selling for between Rs 50 and Rs 100 across Kolkata. Traders noted that prices for roses, especially the Bangalore variety, began rising sharply from last Friday.
Subrata Jana, a flower seller at New Market, commented, "It will be much higher from the day before Valentine's Day and may go beyond Rs 100 per piece, normally sold between Rs 30 and 50." Similarly, Ashok Samanta, a flower seller at Mullickghat with 30 years of experience, observed, "There is huge demand for the Bangalore rose variety available in various colours. Today I sold each flower for Rs 50. It is likely that the price will go up further on Friday. But the skyrocketing price is not affecting sales."
Mehboob Mondal, a flower seller at Lake Market, added that even local varieties like 'mainauperle' roses could reach Rs 50 on Valentine's Day.
Consumer Reactions and Celebratory Trends
Vihaan Mukherjee, a management student, shared his experience: "On Rose Day, I was shocked by the high price of red roses and plan to buy in advance before V-Day." This sentiment reflects broader consumer behavior as people navigate the inflated prices.
On Chocolate Day, which was Monday, small shops across the city saw chocolates flying off the shelves. Teddy Day on Tuesday brought high demand for soft toys in markets like Gariahat, New Market, and Hatibagan. Sreyasi Nandi, a student shopping with her boyfriend Romit Sen, a central government employee, said, "Last year on Teddy Day our relationship grew, so today is very special for me."
Historical Context and Cultural Shift
The concept of celebrating Valentine's Week has flourished in Kolkata in the post-Covid years. Sougata Mukherjee, a 53-year-old businessman, recalled, "During our college life, even till late 90s, V-Day for Bengalis was on Saraswati Puja." The change began in the early 21st century when greeting card companies started promoting a week of love, encouraging people to express affection throughout the week rather than on a single day.
Supply Chain and Agricultural Insights
Across Bengal, the demand for roses during Valentine's Week is estimated at nearly 10 million flowers. To meet this requirement, roses are being stored in cold storage facilities. Growers reported no significant obstacles in rose cultivation this year, leading to a good yield.
Key cultivation areas in West Bengal include:
- West Midnapore district: Ghatal, Daspur, Chandrakona, Debra, Kharagpur, and Jakpur
- East Midnapore district: Panskura, Gosaibari, Sauraberi, Kolaghat, Kanyadihi, Baksitla, Parnank, and Hatisol
The state's only government flower cold storage in Panskura, which had been closed for a long time, is now being utilized for storing roses. However, Narayan Chandra Nayak, general secretary of the All Bengal Flower Growers and Flower Traders Association, noted, "Till a few years ago, the roses produced in this state met the demand. Currently, roses from Bangalore and Pune have captured a significant portion of the market."
This Valentine's Week in Kolkata showcases a vibrant blend of traditional celebrations and modern commercial trends, driving substantial economic activity and reflecting evolving cultural practices.
