Every February, Valentine’s Day pushes global supply chains into intense, short-term action. Flowers, chocolates and restaurant meals depend on careful planning and fast transport; if products miss the timeline, they can lose value. Flowers are often harvested far from the United States and flown on cargo planes, while chocolate makers increase production months ahead of the holiday.
The holiday is also a major economic event. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent a record $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2025 and projections suggest spending will be around $27.7 billion in 2026. The average US household is expected to spend close to $188. More than half of shoppers buy candy and roughly 40% buy flowers. Restaurants are among the busiest, just behind Mother’s Day.
Supply-chain experts say planning begins long before February. Robert Handfield, a professor at North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management, says companies start planning six months in advance. He describes a one-year planning process used by Lindt. Because products need to be in stores by mid-January, companies begin shipping in December. Chocolate firms such as Russel Stover and Hershey’s stage inventory in distribution centers by December.
The Society of American Florists says more than 250 million roses are produced specifically for Valentine’s Day and most flowers come from Colombia and Ecuador. Even with news about tariffs on European countries, Handfield says shoppers are unlikely to see higher prices. The success of the holiday relies on months of planning, long transport routes and tight timing across many parts of the global supply chain.
Difficult words
- supply chain — system that moves goods from producers to customerssupply chains, Supply-chain
- harvest — to collect crops or plants for useharvested
- cargo plane — a large airplane used to transport goodscargo planes
- inventory — stock of goods held for sale or use
- distribution center — warehouse where goods are stored and shippeddistribution centers
- tariff — a tax on imported or exported goodstariffs
- projection — an estimate of future numbers or resultsprojections
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you plan for holidays early, like companies do, or at the last minute? Why?
- Would you prefer to buy local flowers or imported flowers for a special day? Give two reasons.
- How could a delay in shipping affect a small restaurant or shop that sells holiday items?
