New data from Moneris indicates that Canadians marked the occasion in a meaningful way this year, driving gains across several retail and hospitality categories. According to the commerce provider, Valentine’s Day spending rose 48% week-over-week nationwide in 2026, reflecting strong engagement across florists, restaurants, grocery stores and jewellery retailers.
The figures compare spending during the week of Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026, to the previous week. The results point to a broad-based uplift rather than isolated gains in a single segment.
“Moneris data shows that Canadians ramped up their spending on Valentine’s Day in 2026, with total national spend rising 48 per cent week-over-week. Increases across key categories like florists, restaurants and grocery stores signal a balanced approach, as Canadians combined dining out with at-home celebrations tied closely to the occasion,” said Sean McCormick, Vice President of Business Development, Data Services at Moneris.
Florists Lead the Charge with Triple-Digit Gains
Among all categories tracked, florists recorded the most dramatic growth. Nationwide, total spend at florists surged 457% compared to the previous week, while transaction counts climbed 505%.
The spike was visible across every province. Atlantic Canada posted an 861% increase in florist spend, followed by Quebec at 711% and British Columbia at 492%. Even in Alberta and Ontario, florist spending rose 399% and 366% respectively week-over-week.
The data underscores the enduring role of flowers as a core component of Valentine’s Day spending. The sharp rise in transaction volume suggests that demand was broad-based, with more consumers participating rather than simply higher average tickets alone.
Restaurants See Strong Week-Over-Week Growth
Dining out remained central to the occasion. Moneris reports that restaurant spending increased 44% nationwide compared to the prior week, while total transaction counts rose 22%.
Regionally, Atlantic Canada led with a 51% increase in total restaurant spend. Ontario followed at 48%, and Quebec posted a 47% gain. Alberta and British Columbia also saw solid growth at 38% and 39% respectively.
The transaction increases, coupled with higher total spend, indicate that both foot traffic and ticket sizes contributed to overall performance. Broader spend trend data shows that average transaction size also rose across regions during the Valentine’s period, reinforcing the premium nature of the occasion for many operators.
Grocery Spending Signals At-Home Celebrations
While restaurants captured a meaningful share of Valentine’s Day spending, grocery stores also benefited. Nationwide, grocery spending rose 37% week-over-week, with transaction counts up 32%.
The parallel growth in grocery and restaurant categories suggests that consumers blended experiences, combining dining out with home-based celebrations. For retailers and food merchants, this dual-channel behaviour reflects a broader consumer preference for flexibility and personalization in how special occasions are marked.
Moneris notes that the combination of increased restaurant and grocery spending indicates that Valentine’s Day continues to extend beyond a single meal or gift purchase.
Jewellery Shows Year-Over-Year Resilience
In addition to week-over-week category comparisons, Moneris examined year-over-year jewellery performance for Valentine’s Day 2026 compared to 2025. Nationally, total jewellery spend rose 17% year-over-year, although transaction counts declined 9%.
The provincial breakdown reveals notable variation. Ontario recorded a 31% increase in jewellery spend year-over-year, while Atlantic Canada saw a 52% gain. Alberta rose 20%, and Manitoba increased 33%. In contrast, Quebec and Saskatchewan experienced declines in both spend and transaction counts.
“Moneris data highlights how Valentine’s Day remained a powerful moment for certain categories, even in a softer year-over-year environment. Jewellery spending grew by 31 per cent in Ontario and more than 50 per cent in Atlantic Canada, demonstrating how meaningful gifting continues to strongly resonate at the provincial level,” said McCormick.
The divergence between higher spend and lower transaction counts nationally suggests larger average purchase values in some regions, potentially reflecting trading up behaviour among consumers seeking higher-quality or premium items.
A Meaningful Retail Moment in Early 2026
Taken together, the data positions Valentine’s Day spending as an important seasonal driver for Canadian merchants. The 48% week-over-week national increase underscores the continued relevance of occasion-based retail, even amid shifting consumer priorities.
Florists experienced the most pronounced surge, while restaurants and grocery operators both recorded meaningful gains. Jewellery, meanwhile, demonstrated resilience on a year-over-year basis in several key provinces.
For landlords, retailers and hospitality operators, the results reinforce the value of targeted seasonal merchandising, inventory planning and promotional alignment. Valentine’s Day continues to serve as a concentrated demand moment that can materially lift weekly performance across multiple categories.
