When it comes to displays of love, Strabane is the place to be if you want to be spoilt with flowers this Valentine’s Day – but things are not as ‘rosy’ in Larne!
The ‘love league’ of NI towns has been complied by Asda, based on its sales of Valentine’s products over the last two years.
Of all its stores, the folk of Larne spent the least on flowers and chocolates in 2016. It seems they have a long way to go if they’re to move up the love league and compete with romance-laden Strabane which topped the Asda chart – selling 43% more red roses and 39% more chocolate heart lollipops than any other NI store.
Love was also bubbling over in North Belfast where Asda’s Shore Road store claimed runner up position in the league, closely followed by Asda Kilkeel – where each store respectively sold 34% and 28% more champagne and prosecco compared to the previous year.
At the other end of the scale, the sweet-toothed folks of Ballyclare spent the second least on flowers but purchased 36% more Valentine’s chocolates than any other NI Asda store.
Meanwhile things were hotting up in West Belfast where lingerie sales in Asda Westwood soared last year – 59% more amorous underwear was bought for Valentine gifts than in 2015. Its closest rival was Asda Newtownards where sales of lingerie sets increased by 57% compared to the previous year.
“Our Valentine’s Day sales figures over the last two years are quite revealing when it comes to regional displays of love,” said Billy Clelland, Quality Manager, Asda NI. “It’s clear that giving flowers remains the number one romantic gesture, and with 24 beautiful red roses costing just £10 or our bouquet of 100 sweetheart roses for only £25, it’s doesn’t take a lot to show someone you care.”
Asda Larne’s Community ‘Cupid’, Catherine McCallion has donned her wings to help any struggling suitors step it up a gear this year. She’ll be poised with bow and arrow in hand to strike the hearts of Larne’s ‘valentine-aphobes’, offering advice and guidance on the best gifts to help romance bloom again in the town: “Whilst attitudes to Valentine’s Day vary across Northern Ireland we know Asda shoppers are a romantic bunch at heart. My mission as Asda’s Community Cupid is to help our customers spread the love and ensure Larne moves further up the Love League this year.”
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