Even as consumers are tightening their belts amid
fears of a recession, they are expected to buy about 36 million
heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, 214 million roses and 190 million
greeting cards for the nation's most romantic holiday.
When it comes to the economy, it seems, love does conquer all.
Valentine's Day "is a bit recession-proof," said Bart Weitz,
executive director of the Miller Center for Retailing Education and
Research at the University of Florida. "It's sort of like ... even if
times are bad, we still have each other. Our relationship is the last
thing that we want to suffer when times aren't good."
Valentine's Day is more popular than ever, bolstered by more celebrating, more gift-giving, more promotions, more love.
The passion-charged spending is climbing again this year, but the
rising cost of love could strain even the most committed couple.
