Sending flowers and sharing candlelit dinners with loved ones adds a “sense of ritual” to Valentine’s Day each year. However, this year’s Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday close to the Lunar New Year, prompting many flower shops in Mong Kok’s Flower Market to prominently display New Year plants while only a few are actively promoting Valentine’s bouquets.
One flower shop owner reports that without the need for office deliveries to “show off,” Valentine’s Day orders have dropped by more than half compared to last year. Nevertheless, some florists note that Hong Kong’s consumer sentiment has improved, and with the Flower Market redevelopment attracting visitors taking photos, business during both festivals is expected to increase by approximately 10%.
The catering industry anticipates Valentine’s Day revenue will grow about 10% compared to regular Saturdays. “Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples—many families traditionally dine out together on this day as well.”
Flower Shops Focus on New Year Plants
With less than a week until Valentine’s Day, reporters observed that most flower shops in Mong Kok’s Flower Market are primarily selling New Year plants, displaying orchids and kumquat trees in prominent storefront positions. Only some shops have placed roses at their entrances or posted notices welcoming Valentine’s bouquet pre-orders.
Lai Wing-chun, Chairman of the Hong Kong Fresh Flowers and Potted Plants Wholesale Association, notes that this year’s Valentine’s Day falls on the 27th day of the last lunar month, just before the Lunar New Year. He estimates some residents will purchase peonies, phalaenopsis orchids, or Japanese cymbidiums as New Year flowers for their partners. “The symbolic meanings of these flowers represent love. Pink phalaenopsis represents ‘a maiden’s smile’—women will definitely be happy receiving them.”
Lai predicts residents will prefer buying flowers on Valentine’s Day itself or simply gifting New Year plants to loved ones. “Valentine’s bouquet sales may decrease, but the impact on New Year flowers is minimal. People are buying quite actively, and this year’s atmosphere seems to have improved.” He adds that with redevelopment approaching, many residents and tourists will visit the Flower Market during the New Year to take photos, which should boost foot traffic and business. “Valentine’s Day combined with Lunar New Year should increase sales by about 10%.”
Florists Expect 60% Year-on-Year Decline
Regarding florists’ tendency to focus on New Year flower business, Cherry, head of Fai Fung Florist, explains that the Flower Market will be closed from the 7th to 17th of this month, forcing flower shops to make choices. “Until the 20th day of the first lunar month each year, everyone mainly buys orchids because they can last several months.” Additionally, with Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday this year, they’ve lost customers who want to “show off” at work, with business expected to decline by over 60% year-on-year. “Sending flowers to the office is about letting other colleagues see them.”
Cherry notes that this year’s customers ordering flowers remain predominantly male, with women being rare. “Women give more practical gifts. Even if they send flowers to men, the recipients may not be particularly happy.” She also mentions using differentiated marketing to compete with mainland Chinese florists. “In our bouquet designs, we incorporate foreign flowers. We use hydrangea colors only available from foreign varieties and accent flowers unavailable on the mainland, making them look more upscale.”
Mr. Cheung, owner of Siu Siu Hau Flower Shop, states that with Valentine’s Day near the New Year holiday, many couples are planning trips abroad. Even without price increases, orders have plummeted by half compared to last year. “Average spending on flowers is about HK$600. There won’t be very expensive flowers—bouquets over HK$1,000 are quite rare.” He mentions that in recent years, some intermediaries have been “pulling carts” to deliver flowers from Shenzhen and Lok Ma Chau to Hong Kong. However, with different rent and salary levels between the two places, local flower shops struggle to compete on price and can only control costs while maintaining quality. “If business is poor, don’t stock too much inventory or hire too many people—I’d rather work harder myself.”
Western Restaurants at 70% Reservation Rate
A romantic Valentine’s dinner is essential for couples. Simon Wong, President of the Federation of Restaurants and Allied Trades, reports that western restaurants have about 70% reservation rates—a solid performance—with industry revenue expected to increase 10% compared to regular Saturdays. “Valentine’s set menu prices haven’t changed significantly, with average per-person spending around HK$600, and high-end establishments around HK$1,000-2,000.” Despite many residents traveling during the weekend and long holiday, he believes a series of Lunar New Year celebrations will encourage local consumption and attract tourists to Hong Kong, with industry revenue during the New Year period expected to grow 5% year-on-year. “Especially with mainland vehicles coming south—these customers have higher spending power, which helps the catering industry.”