Supermarkets woo romantics in war of the roses
Discount chain Lidl is offering a dozen red roses from as little as €6.99 with a luxury bunch on sale for €34.99 and single stems for €2.99 each.
Tesco is trying to pull punters by offering them 25% in ‘reward vouchers’ if they spend €20 on Valentine’s flowers, champagne and sparking wine.
A dozen red roses can be bought for €19.99 at Tesco, which is also selling luxury bouquets for €24.99 and €44.99.
Dunnes Stores is offering a dozen of the blooms for €15 to €50 while lovestruck shoppers can also get 25% in reward vouchers for every €1 spent on wine and champagne.
Both Dunnes and Tesco are also going head-to-head by offering keen prices on chocolate as well as romantic films and books.
High Street giant Marks & Spencer trying to arouse the interest of shoppers and pull them through the door by offering roses from €7.49.
Shopkeepers say Ireland’s booming economy is fanning the flames of desire as more people have cash on the hip to impress their loved ones.
Torlach Denihan of Retail Ireland, the trade body representing Ireland’s shops, said: “Valentine’s is a significant and growing market. There’s a large number of young adults in the country and they tend to be enthusiastic about Valentine’s.
“And everyone is working and has a few quid in their pockets compared to 25 years ago when wages went on rent, the mortgage and food.”
He said more cards, chocolates and flowers would be sold today and tomorrow than on any other ordinary Tuesday or Wednesday during the year.
The growing popularity of Valentine was reflected in the spike in rose prices on Valentine’s Day, he added.
An Irish Examiner survey of florists last year showed how a dozen red roses were on sale for as little as €36 a month before Valentine’s Day, but, as February 14 approached, prices rose as high as €100.
