Due to inflation, red roses cost more this Valentine’s day

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Roses, that’s a traditional gift to give someone on Valentine’s day. But what about a dozen red roses? A local florist told Action News Jax that because of inflation they will cost you an extra $25 at her shop.

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Demand, production, wages and transportation across other countries; they are all reasons why a dozen red roses now cost more money.

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“For Valentines it’s $94.99,” Shelly Hagan, florist and the owner of Jacksonville Flower Market’s retail business & Flowers of Jacksonville delivery service, said. “Without inflation they’d cost $69.99.”

She says the surcharges for producing red roses are up nationwide.

“The trucking charges go up, the flower charges go up, so everything has kind of escalated so it’s in high demand,” Hagan said.

Brandon Ezell is looking for a dozen assorted roses to give his wife on valentines’ day.

“This will be our first-year anniversary and we’ve been together the last five years,” Ezell said. “I think for our first year I’ll put a singular white rose in the bouquet. Our first year of being married, a year of purity,” he said.

Read: Get married on Valentine’s Day, St. Johns County Clerk of Court hosts wedding ceremony

A chart from The National Retail Federation shows in 2022 consumers spent $23.9B on Valentine’s day. This year they’ll spend $25.9B. That’s over $190 bucks per person on candy, cards, stuffed animals and flowers.

“Today we’re around 500 deliveries and tomorrow we’re going to be close to 1,000,” Hagan said.

Hagen explained that normally she would have five florists a day working in her shop. To keep up with the high demand of Valentine orders, she has doubled her staff from five to 10.

Not only does Jacksonville Flower Markets have an array of flowers to choose from they also have a 2,000 square foot walk in cooler for guests to enter. There, customers can pick up and create personalized bouquets. Plus, there are decorated baskets full of teddy bears and chocolates to choose from.

Jacksonville Flower Markets can also make flowers into the shape of a dog or cat. They are called love pups or love cats.

If you would like to place a flowers order with Jacksonville Flower Market’s you can call them at (904)-800-2448 or visit them at their website by clicking here.

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According to The National Retail Federation, 2023 is one of the highest spending years on record for Valentine’s day.