The annual 'Mastercard Valentine's Day Index ' highlights money is no object when it comes to creating a special experience
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February 13, 2017 - Whether it's a small romantic gesture or an extravagant surprise for that special someone, it would appear shoppers around the globe are feeling loved up, spending more on the most romantic day of the year than ever before.
The annual 'Mastercard Valentine's Day Index,' an analysis of payment card transactions over a three-year period, has revealed that sentimental spending has increased by 49 percent. And while the majority of purchases still happen in person, love is the latest thing to go digital, with a 37 percent increase in the number of online transactions.
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If you still haven't picked up something special for your loved one - you're not alone. Data showed the majority of Valentine's purchases happen during a last-minute dash on February 13, with 47.4 million transactions that day alone over the past three years.
Recent years have shown that the stomach is increasingly the way to one's heart, with spending in restaurants soaring by 102 percent since 2014.
'Whilst the way we say I love you might have changed in recent years, showing someone you care on February 14 is more popular than ever. The Mastercard Valentine's Day Index highlights key global and regional trends to hopefully offer retailers some priceless insight into how customers want to spend the most romantic day of the year' commented Linda Kirkpatrick, Executive Vice President, US Merchants and Acceptance.
The study, which looked at shopper behavior in more than 200 territories around the globe, identified some other purchasing trends.
The personal touch still matters: Despite the continued growth of online, 95% of transactions around Valentine's Day are still made in person. Those in Latin America showed the biggest shift to online, with an increase of 250% from 2014 to 2016, followed by the Middle East and Africa with a 56% increase
REGIONAL TRENDS | |
Asia Pacific |
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Canada |
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Europe |
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Latin America |
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USA |
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Middle East and Africa |
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About Mastercard
Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MastercardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.
Media Contact:
Sarah Ely
Sarah.ely@mastercard.com
(914) 249-6714
MasterCard Inc. published this content on 13 February 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
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