WASHINGTON — Valentine’s Day is becoming more expensive, and evidently more important, for couples.
An analysis by the financial information group WalletHub finds that 53 percent of women in the United States say they would break up with their significant other if they did not receive a gift.
But Americans don’t skimp when it comes to Valentine’s Day shopping.
“Ninety-one percent of people plan to buy a gift for their significant other,” says WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez.
With Valentine’s Day coming up on Sunday, people will be spending some serious cash — $19.7 billion, up from last year’s total of $18.9 billion.
“This breaks down to an average of just under $150 per person spent in 2016,” Gonzalez says.
Even people who are not in relationships will shop: A rather surprising 24 percent of singles plan to buy themselves a Valentine’s Day gift.
“They’re spending no matter what,” Gonzalez says.
