Valetine's economics

Sorry for the late post but my Blogger editor was down for some reason this morning. I wanted to make it worth the wait, eh? I also wanted to send this photo out with the Valentines this year... (sorry if this offends the follicular out-of-control)


192 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.) Nearly 60 percent of all Valentine’s Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the observance, making Valentine’s Day a procrastinator’s delight.

1,271 locations produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2003. These establishments employed 43,379 people. California led the nation in the number of such establishments (with 146) followed by Pennsylvania (with 120). 519 locations produced nonchocolate confectionary products in 2003. These establishments employed 23,343 people. The total value of shipments in 2003 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products was $13.5 billion. Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was a $5.5 billion industry. 3,523 Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2003. Often referred to as candy stores, they are among the best sources of sweets for Valentine’s Day. The per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2004 was 4.7 pounds. Candy consumption has actually declined over the last few years; in 1997, each American gobbled or savored more than 27 pounds of candy a year.

The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut flowers in 2004 for all flower-producing businesses in 36 states with $100,000 or more in sales was $422 million was. Among states, California was the leading producer, alone accounting for nearly three-quarters of this amount ($304 million). The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in 2004 for all businesses in 36 states with $100,000 or more in sales was $43 million. Among all types of cut flowers, roses were second in receipts to lilies ($78 million). There were 22,022 florists nationwide in 2003. These businesses employed 113,270 people.

There were 28,527 jewelry stores in the United States in 2003. Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to lovers of all ages. In February 2005, these stores sold $2.4 billion worth of merchandise. (This figure has not been adjusted for seasonal variation, holiday or trading day differences or price changes.) .The merchandise at these locations could well have been produced at one of the nation’s 1,892 jewelry manufacturing establishments. The manufacture of jewelry was an $8.6 billion industry in 2003.

All I have to say is: guys, keep spending, our economy depends on you!