Following a brief post-peak shopping break, online gift shopping for Valentine’s Day is underway. And this year, Valentine’s Day spending is forecasted to reach new heights.
According to the National Retail Federation’s latest survey, Valentine’s Day consumer spending is expected to reach a record $29.1 billion in 2026, surpassing last year’s $27.5 billion total. Shoppers are planning to spend $199.78 on average, up from about $188.81 in 2025 and above the prior 2020 average record of $196.31.
Over half of Americans (55%) plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and among them:
- 83% plan to purchase gifts for a significant other — totaling about $14.5 billion in expected spend.
- 58% plan to buy for family members such as children, parents or siblings, representing about $4.5 billion.
- 33% plan to buy gifts for friends
- 27% for classmates and teachers,
- 21% for co-workers
- and a record 35% are expected to buy gifts for pets!
While candy is the most popular Valentine’s day gift category, jewelry dominates on a dollar basis. Online remains the top shopping destination, followed by department stores, discount stores and specialty retailers.
How Social Proof Builds Confidence
Social proof plays a powerful role in guiding hesitant gift buyers. By highlighting bestsellers, trending items and real-time customer behaviors, social proof turns hesitation into confidence.
Urgency and popularity signals help customers quickly narrow choices, while low-stock alerts prevent disappointment later. For Valentine’s Day categories like jewelry, flowers and chocolates, this reassurance can be the difference between a confident purchase and an abandoned cart.
The impact is even greater when social proof is combined with aggregated review insights. Messaging that highlights five-star ratings, fit feedback, or “most gifted” items gives shoppers clarity and confidence, particularly when choosing something personal or unfamiliar.
Guide Shoppers with Attribute Messaging
By highlighting key product information related to materials, product benefits, features and more, attribute messaging helps shoppers find the right gifts faster.
Dynamic badging can be used to visually highlight curated Valentine’s Day gift selections. These badges can be used across the eCommerce site to create more engaging shopping experiences while helping shoppers more easily find the products.
Combined with social proof, these messages become even more impactful, making it easier and less overwhelming to find the right gifts.
Buy Right, the First Time
Better-informed shoppers are more likely to choose the right gifts and confident shoppers are less likely to abandon purchases mid-checkout. Retailers and brands that use conversion messaging consistently see meaningful uplifts in conversion rate and revenue.
What’s not to love?
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