Consumer spending surged over Valentine’s weekend, with volumes and transaction values climbing by double digits compared with previous years, Standard Bank says.
Jewellery stores, luxury goods retailers, spas and salons, and restaurants experienced the biggest boost, the bank said, as consumers embraced the weekend of romance.
The most extravagant local purchase was the purchase of jewellery worth R475,000 in Sandton, while an international shopper spent R5.5m on jewellery in Paris.
Shopping volumes and values increased 12% from 2024 and 25% from 2023. Standard Bank attributed the uptick to the timing of Valentine’s Day, which fell on a Friday, allowing consumers to extend their celebrations over the weekend.
“Transaction volumes were noticeably higher compared to years when Valentine’s Day was midweek,” said Tumelo Ramugondo, head of credit at Standard Bank.
“While customers spent more overall, many opted for lower-ticket items. But there were some eye-popping transactions which show that some people took gifting very seriously during this time.”
Jewellery retailers emerged as the weekend’s biggest winners, enjoying a 154% year-on-year increase in spending, with an average transaction value of R2,000. Spas and salons received a 48% boost, while restaurants posted a 43% increase as many couples dined out to mark the occasion. Florists, department stores and speciality gift shops also reported strong sales, with florists recording an average spend of R700 per transaction, Standard Bank said.
Despite higher overall spending, the average transaction value dropped slightly to R411 in 2025, according to Standard Bank. Men outspent women, with an average spend of R386 per transaction compared with R357 for female shoppers. Standard Bank said the highest local and international jewellery purchases were made by men, while the highest spend by a woman was R52,500 at a fashion retailer.
TimesLIVE recently reported on a standout local jewellery commission in Durban, where a woman received a ring valued at R350,000. The item, inspired by a gear mechanism, was commissioned by a 40-something engineer seeking a unique and intricate design for his wife. The designer created the gold-and-diamond ring, marking a first-of-its-kind achievement in SA.
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