Central England Co-op reveals recent shopping trends for the most romantic day of the year ahead of Valentine’s Day 2022

Posted by james brindle | Published: 08/02/2022

• Data from across all of Central England Co-op’s 260 plus stores in the run-up to Valentine’s Day 2021 showed some interesting trends as couples faced celebrating in lockdown
• Breakfast in bed proved popular – local eggs saw a 35% increase while fresh croissants also saw a big boost in sales
• Roses were red once again for couples, with the biggest seller on the run up to Valentine’s Day Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Luxury Single Rose Bouquets, while Co-op Fairtrade Long Stem Roses sales were up 93%  
• A bottle of bubbly was a more popular choice than ever - Co-op Irresistible Prosecco increased by 306% year on year in 2021

New Central England Co-op research into Valentine’s Day shopping habits in recent years has been revealed as couples look to enjoy a special day in 2022 following the lockdown restrictions of 12 months ago.

With those lockdown restrictions in place in February 2021, unsurprisingly the data from Central England Co-op stores in the run-up to the day shows that more than ever couples were looking to mark the event at home, whether with a romantic breakfast in bed or night in with a favourite tipple and box of chocolates.

The growing popularity of treating your loved one to a special Valentine’s breakfast can perhaps be seen by the continued growth in the sale of eggs in Central England Co-op stores in 2021.

Co-op local eggs saw a 35% increase in sales last year, following on from a staggering 191% rise in 2020 with Woodlands Farm 12 medium eggs doubling in sales year on year.

There was also a significant growth in the retailer’s fresh bakery breakfast items in 2021, particularly on Valentine’s Day itself up 13% year on year as people popped out for breakfast treat, with over 4,500 Co-op Chocolate Filled Croissants sold, the biggest seller, but the biggest growth was in Co-op Irresistible All Butter Croissants, up 32%.

Although it was more difficult in 2021 to travel to loved ones with a bunch of flowers, last year did see Central England Co-op shoppers pop to their local store to treat their partners to a bouquet in record numbers.

There was a small growth in sales of flowers in Valentine’s week but a big jump on the day itself, up 28%, suggesting shoppers left it to the last minute to ensure they were in the good books with their partners.

The traditional choice of a bunch of red roses proved popular again, with the biggest seller on the run up to Valentine’s Day Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Luxury Single Rose Bouquets and Co-op Fairtrade Long Stem Roses sales up 93%.

The biggest seller on Valentine’s Day itself for the second year running was the Co-op Bubblegum Bouquet which saw over 4,000 bouquets sold.

Meanwhile, loved-up shoppers were keen to match their bunch of flowers with a box of chocs, with boxed confectionary up 24% on Valentine Day 2021, with the Co-op Irresistible Chocolate Collection up 172% as couples treated themselves to something special.

Picking up a bottle of bubbly on Valentine’s Day was also the way to go for many couples looking to celebrate the day, with Co-op Irresistible Prosecco increasing by 306% year on year.

Central England Co-op stores have a special offer this Valentine’s Day of a bottle of Co-op Irresistible Prosecco and Co-op Irresistible Luxury Fairtrade Chocolates Collection for £12, or £11 for members.

There is also a tempting meal deal offer for those couples again looking for a romantic night in rather than venturing out into the cold.

The £15 Co-op Irresistible meal for two includes a starter, main, side, dessert and a drink. Among the starters are Smoky Paprika Soft Set Scotch Eggs, mains feature the likes of Hereford Rump Steaks with Peppercorn Butter and Sea Bass with Slow Roast Tomatoes and sides include Thick Cut Chips. Mouth-watering dessert options include Vegan Dark Chocolate & Raspberry Velvet Tortes and drinks include classic and Rose Proseccos, as well as non-alcohol options.

There are also some great gifting options available in selected stores, ranging from a Chocolate Fondue Melting Pot priced at £20, medium Yankee Candle jars in Cherry Vanilla or Linen and Lace priced at £8, to a Swigs and Snaffles Beer and Pork Crackling Gift Set priced at £12.50.

For more information on Valentine’s products available at Central England Co-op, visit https://www.centralengland.coop/deals/

Notes to editors

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK with interests in food, funeral, floral and property investment.

Owned by hundreds of thousands of members, its over 8,000 colleagues serve customers across 400 plus trading sites in 20 counties in the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Its purpose is to inspire communities to create a sustainable Society for all.

It actively campaigns for the Government to increase sentencing for violent attacks on retail workers and works with FareShare Midlands and hundreds of food banks, generating enough food donations to create over 2.1 million meals for people in need.

The Society embraces inclusivity and equality and is a signed-up member to the Business in the Community (BITC) Race at Work Charter, while it is also fully committed to addressing the impact of climate change and is on track to be Carbon Neutral by 2030. 

It invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities through its Community Dividend Fund scheme which has seen over £175,000 shared out between 116 good causes over the past 12 months.

Central England Co-op was named Leading Co-op of the Year by Co-operatives UK in 2021.

Press office contacts: Rob Smyth and James Brindle

Phone - 01543 421390

Email - publicrelations@centralengland.coop