Valentine's Day offers retailers a chance to increase sales, but achieving understanding involves more than just figures.

It's crucial to analyse your store's performance to determine what worked well and what did not and to improve. Here’s a guide to assist you in evaluating your Valentine’s Day sales.

Last-Minute Shoppers

Many Valentine's Day purchases are impulsive, so people buy even after the holiday. Please keep displaying your themed products for a little. Also, remember that some bargain hunters are now looking.

The Importance of Measuring Sales for Businesses

Businesses need to measure during busy seasons such as Valentine's Day. These days are unusual, and what you find on them can work against you because they are uncommon. This makes it harder to make decisions. Luckily, tracking sales has become more straightforward and practical with a modern POS system.

Sales Reports

Sales reports are crucial tools for monitoring sales performance. They show your profit, bestselling products, and employee performance. Using these reports, you can identify trends and make data-driven decisions.

How to Track Sales Performance

Go to reports and click on sales.

This report will allow you to check how each department in your shop is doing compared to previous periods.

Now select the dates you are interested in, 14 February 2025 and 14 February 2024

I am ignoring all the extra options for this example. Please feel free to review this later after you work through this example.

When reviewing reports, navigate the left-hand menu to focus on the most relevant departments. It will help you pinpoint areas of success and those needing improvement.

The advantages of utilising sales reports: By analysing sales data, you can determine, in particular, the bestselling products and employee performance. Your business strategy must be to gain insights to maximise profits. If you follow what happened on those days, you can identify trends that you need to make informed decisions. It will help your businesses make data-driven decisions.

Another good way to measure sales on Valentine's Day is through employee sales analysis. It is interesting because, by analysing sales data, you can identify employees who perform well.

Top-Selling Products

Create a list of your best-selling items! Did red roses or heart-shaped chocolates fly off the shelves? Also, please remember items that didn't sell well; each has a story for me. In my experience, it's best not to fight the market if the public wants these heart-shaped chocolates from you; give them to them and do not try to do better.  

Leftover Stock

Everyone hates these items if they cannot be sold after Valentine's Day. These items highlight what did not resonate with customers, so if you're left with too many red candles or gift baskets, make a note for next year.

Sold-Out Items

Which products sold out too quickly is more important? These cost you money. For instance, if heart-shaped chocolates sold out too quickly this year, plan to increase inventory next year.

Summary

> Valentine's Day is an excellent time for businesses to boost sales, but it requires strategic planning and measuring sales.

> Measuring sales during busy seasons such as Valentine's Day is essential.

> Sales reports are great for monitoring sales performance.

> Employee sales analysis is another way to measure Valentine's Day sales. It can identify high-performing employees and those who need more training. Using this information, you can boost sales.

Businesses can use this information to boost sales and customer satisfaction.

Valentine's Day is coming, and you must prepare for a record-breaking year. With projected sales of $535 million this year, it promises to be the most profitable Valentine's Day ever.

Market Projections for 2025

Roy Morgan's early estimates suggest a 15% increase in spending compared to last year. However, past trends indicate that actual spending often exceeds their predictions. For instance, in 2023, Roy Morgan estimated $485 million, but Australians ended up spending over $849 million, according to a review by the NAB. This discrepancy highlights the importance of being prepared for the impulse buyer.

Consumer Spending Trends

The Google Trends data indicates a notable rise in interest for Valentine's Day 2025 compared to the previous year, reflecting a robust demand across all states. This observation aligns with the overall increase in consumer enthusiasm for the holiday.

Top Gift Categories

Roy Morgan's data reveals the most popular gift categories for Valentine's Day 2025:

• For Men:

  • Flowers
  • Food, chocolate, and alcohol
  • Experiences (dinner or trips away)

• For Women:

  • Food, chocolate, and alcohol
  • Flowers
  • Cards

Inventory Management Steps

To capitalize on these trends, follow these practical steps:

Analyse your past Sales Data

To prepare for this year, use your POS software effectively. Reviewing last year's sales data will give you valuable insights into which items were the top sellers. Also check your current inventory levels. This information is essential for deciding what products to stock up on to meet customer demand!

Research sales data from the previous year.

To see what sells in your shop on Valentine's Day and what stock you have, It will take seconds to discover and give you some good ideas. Remember, unlike other marketing holidays, many products on Valentine's Day are still marketable afterwards if you select wisely. 

So, in your POS software, look at the Top N stock report, which gives you the top-selling items.

Go to Register Reports marked in green.

Select stock.

Now, you will see two reports. Click the one on green first. It would be best to hold the purple in reserve, as you may need it before placing an order.
 

 
Now select a week before last year's Valentine's Day and a few days after, and then use the top 40 items, which should be plenty. I suggest doing it by quality sold.

You will get a report with top sellers over Valentine's Day, plus your current stock holding, to see how you stand for Valentine's Day.

We now have a list of the products that have sold well in your shop. That took less than a minute. Now, make sure you have enough stock.

Order now

Don't wait. Sales are starting now.

Stock Up Strategically

With the average person expected to spend around $150, ensure you have various gift options available. Chosen wisely, as many Valentine's Day products remain marketable after the holiday.

Visual Merchandising Tips

Creating a dedicated Valentine's Day section in your store can significantly boost sales. Here's how to do it effectively:

Create a Special Section

Designate a specific area for Valentine's Day products. It doesn't need to be elaborate; make sure it's visible and appealing.

Decorate with Love

Use cute messages and signs to decorate the front of your store. It will attract passing shoppers and spread the love.

Gift Wrapping

Consider offering gift-wrapping services to go the extra mile for your customers.

Conclusion

Valentine's Day is a significant opportunity to increase sales. To make this day profitable, please ensure you have the right products and an inviting shopping environment.

Maximise your Valentine's Day sales.

Valentine's Day is almost here. Many of you are wondering how sales might go this year. Roy Morgan has put out their first estimate for Valentine's Day 2024 spending, predicting $465 million - down 4.1% or $20 million from 2023  here.

However, remember these are early predictions and are often way off. Last year, Roy Morgan predicted $485 million in spending, but the NAB after Valentine's Day showed Australians actually spent over $849 million - up 7% from the prior year!

So take any early estimates as a guide only, as Valentine's Day spending often exceeds expectations. This is because many people buy on impulse at the last minute. A few years ago, I remember being thrown out of the house and told not to return until I had flowers for my wife.

What Are People Buying for Valentine's Day 2024?

Roy Morgan's data shows the most popular Valentine's Day purchases this year will likely be:

"• Flowers (mentioned by 48% of respondents), chocolates (33%) and dinner or a trip away (11%) are set to be the most popular purchases.
• Intimate gifts remain sought-after, with lingerie (5%) and adult toys (4%) ranking within the top cohort of gifts.
• Of those who are planning to purchase a Valentine’s Day gift, almost a quarter say they will be spending more, while 57% will spend around the same and 19% will spend less.
• About 12% of those Valentine’s gifting will be purchasing a present for someone other than their romantic partner.
• The majority, a total of 70% of respondents will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic celebratory meal."

Key Takeaways for Retailers

• Don't wait until the last minute to order. Sales for Valentine's Day last week started the week before.
• Expect customers to shell out more per gift - an average estimate is $135 per person this year, up 14.4% from 2023.
• The most romantic suburbs outside major cities for sales include Armidale (NSW), Bunbury (WA), Kotara (NSW), Ballarat (VIC), Mackay (QLD), Modbury (SA), Torquay (VIC) and Toowoomba (QLD).

Research sales data from the previous year.

To see what sells in your shop on Valentine's Day and what stock you have, It will take seconds to discover and give you some good ideas. Remember, unlike other marketing holidays, many products on Valentine's Day are still marketable afterwards if you select wisely. 

So, in your POS software, look at the Top N stock report, which gives you the top-selling items.

Go to Register Reports marked in green.

Select stock.

Now, you will see two reports. Click the one on green first. It would be best if you held the purple in memory as you may need it before placing an order.
 

 
Now select last year's Valentine's Day and the top 40 items, which should be plenty. I suggest doing it by quality sold.

You will get a report with top sellers over Valentine's Day, plus your current stock holding, to see how you stand for Valentine's Day.

We now have a list of the products sold well in your shop. That took less than a minute. Now, make sure you have enough stock.

Create a Valentine's Day-specific section in the shop. 

It is creating such a specific section in the shop increases sales dramatically. It doesn't have to be spectacular; it does not have to be big. Put your Valentine's products on the stand.

Put cute messages on signs to decorate the front of your store to attract the attention of passing shoppers. Spread the love. 

Conclusion

You can have a significant chance to boost sales and connect with customers on Valentine's Day. 

> Prepare for the holiday by using sales data from the previous year, taking into account changes brought on by the pandemic

>Stocking up on merchandise related to Valentine's Day

> Embracing the new trend of buying gifts for friends and pet 

> Creating a special section in the store

The key for small retailers is being prepared for strong Valentine's Day demand. Have plenty of gift options stocked up, and go the extra mile with gift wrapping and romance-focused promotions. With the right preparation, your shop can delight customers and make this Valentine's Day your most profitable ever.