ST. VALENTINE'S DAY IS FLORISTS' FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR.Byline: Don Jergler Staff Writer To some, Saint Valentine's Day Saint Valentine's Day, Western European Christian holiday, originally the Roman feast of Lupercalia. It was christianized in memory of the martyrdom of St. Valentine in A.D. means remembering and love, with the colors red and white dominating the visual spectrum. But for others, they see mostly U.S. Mint green on the holiday for sweethearts. St. Valentine's Day St. Valentine’s Day (February 14) day of celebration of love. [Western Folklore: Leach, 1153] See : Love means cold, hard cash for floral wholesalers, who mark up their products - the old supply-and-demand theory in full bloom full bloom the stage of a crop when two-thirds of the plants are in flower; the crop is mature. - forcing retailers to pass the buck Pass the Buck may refer to:
Last year, an estimated 103 million flowers were sold during the week leading up to Valentine's Day Valentine's Day: see Saint Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day Lovers' holiday celebrated on February 14, the feast day of St. Valentine, one of two 3rd-century Roman martyrs of the same name. St. in the United States, according to the Society for American Florists in Alexandria, Va. Valentine's Day ranks first among U.S. holidays in sales of cut flowers, and it accounts for 25 percent of holiday flower and plant spending, according to the society. ``In general, Valentine's Day is probably 30 times the normal business day,'' said Kristy Eidam, consumer marketing manager for the SAF SAF Safety SAF Society of American Foresters SAF Society of American Florists SAF Secretary of the Air Force SAF Second Amendment Foundation SAF Singapore Armed Forces SAF Students for Academic Freedom SAF Store And Forward . Average annual floral sales are $250,000 per store, she said. In 2001, domestic sales for the industry were projected to be $19 billion, Eidam said. But at this time of the year the hottest-selling flower - and one of the most expensive - is the red rose. Dennis Richichi, who's been a floral designer for Jacob Maarse Flowers in Pasadena for the past 21 years, said that store will be selling long-stem red roses for $95 per dozen and $80 for short-stems - a $20 increase over the regular price. Floral retailers like Jacob Maarse are forced to raise rose prices because the increase in demand puts pressure on wholesalers, who increase their prices, he said, adding that about 80 percent of flower sales during the week leading up to Valentine's Day are red roses. ``Red means passion and love,'' Richichi said. Valentine's sales typically begin around Feb. 6, and continue through Feb. 14, florists say, adding upward of $15,000 in revenue for the week. For those who don't want to spend a bundle on roses, floral experts advise choosing seasonal flowers in colorful arrangements. Winter-grown flowers are available in yellows, blues, purples and peaches, with generous arrangements priced around $40. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Floral designer Dennis Richichi gathers Rouge Basier roses for an arrangement. Leo Leo, in astronomy Leo [Lat.,=the lion], northern constellation lying S of Ursa Major and on the ecliptic (apparent path of the sun through the heavens) between Cancer and Virgo; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Jarzomb/Staff Photographer |
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