Buying early trends as online operators push funny Valentine’s Day sales
The annual celebration of love is fast approaching and the trends of buying early and choosing funny cards have really come to the fore for this Valentine’s Day.
With the big day looming on Tuesday, 14 February, online operators such as Moonpig, Hallmark, Amazon and Scribbler are making customers aware of their offer with social media posts and email marketing – while indie retailer Kaye Thurgood is amazed at how many cards she’s sold already.
“We went out with Valentine’s straight after Christmas to put it on customer’s radar and they started selling straight away,” Kaye told PG Buzz from her two Sincerely Yours shops in Shenfield and Hornchurch, “and we sold out of a number of designs before the end of January, in particular large wife cards.
“The men are definitely buying earlier this year, many are saying they don’t want to get caught out by leaving it to the last minute. That may be past experience or that people want something nice to focus on. We’re definitely picking up a happy vibe in our shops at the moment which is surprising and very refreshing.”
Just last week, Hello! magazine featured its top “18 funny Valentine’s cards to give your other half a giggle” for those who prefer to be less of a mushy partner, with themes covering Prince Harry, cost-of-living, cheeky humour, TV and films, gamers, and celebs, across Scribbler, Moonpig, Etsy, and Amazon.
Scribbler was quick to pick on the publicity, posting on social media: “You already know that we’re the go-to for funny Valentine’s cards! Check out some of our most chuckle-inducing cards featured in Hello Magazine’s top picks for 2023, including a few from our fantastic independent designers.”
Hallmark’s online shop has a free delivery offer, and is also highlighting the different types of sending – to a partner, someone you fancy, simple greetings, and to let your mates know how much you love them.
Meanwhile Moonpig is giving a free card with any gift or flowers order, and it also has a competition for all Valentine’s cards ordered between 1-12 February where one winner will be drawn from each day’s orders to win a Red Letter Day couple’s experience such as helicopter rides, skydiving, speed racing, climbing in the treetops, relaxing escapes and boozy days out.
