The perfect Valentine's Day present is only a click away
It's the most romantic day of the year, and many people across the country are scouring high streets and the web to find the perfect gift for their loved one. With over 53% of women saying they would end their relationship if they didn't receive a gift from their partner on 14th February , Valentine's Day has become the occasion that requires time and effort to find the ideal present.
Be it flowers, clothes, gadgets or chocolate, the task of purchasing the perfect gift for a partner is becoming more and more difficult. Friends get very competitive over who has the best gifts, and almost every store front and webpage seems to be covered with ads for gorgeous roses and stunning jewellery - all adding to the pressure.
iPads put pay to flowers and chocolate
This year your average 'other half' isn't happy with just chocolate and flowers. Recent research has indicated technology and gadgets are by far the most popular Valentine's Day gift, with over 42% of people wanting some form of gadget, such as an iPad or laptop, from their partner this year.
As people become more demanding for more expensive and thoughtful Valentine's Day presents, Brits are looking online to find ideas for the dream gift to purchase their loved one. According to a consumer study from Google, Valentine's Day searches increased by 35% from 2011 to 2012.
Expensive Tastes
Last year, Valentine's Day was responsible for £905 million in online sales , with one in three people shopping for their Valentine's Day gifts online and men spending £5 more than women on gifts in 2013 . This year it's the men who want their partners to loosen the purse strings a bit, with more than one in ten (12%) hoping their partner spends at least £100 on their gift. This is backed up by the most desirable gift being high end gadgets including iPads, PlayStation 4 and laptops.
The big Valentine's Day escape
Consumers are not stopping at traditional gifts, with an increasing number of 'experience' days being purchased as a Valentine's Day gift. From race car driving to skydives, romantic days out are now only a click away, although not every couple may want to have these experiences together (a skydive is not everyone's idea of romance). With Valentine's Day falling on a Friday this year, it is no surprise that loved up couples are bunking off work to make the most of the three day weekend. Over a quarter are considering taking time off to share with their loved ones. Londoners are the keenest with one in five mulling over the idea and 15% already booked the time off and ready to go .
Although many argue that Valentine's Day is an excuse for over-spending, the ability to research and find the perfect gift online highlights what should be the true meaning of the day - making someone you love feel special, whatever their taste.
Match your partners profile with their dream gift here: www.play.com/events/valentines-day-store
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