That’s the latest outlook reported by ESM Magazine, citing Germany’s retail federation Handelsverband Deutschland (HDE).

What’s interesting here isn’t just the size of the opportunity, it’s what it signals about occasion-led retail:

  • Shoppers still want to celebrate

  • “Small tokens” and accessible gifts matter

  • Retailers win when they make the choice easy and affordable

Valentine’s Day is a perfect example of how timely, local communication drives incremental sales:

When purchase windows are short and decisions are emotional, consumers respond best to messages that are:
✅ clear on price/value
✅ easy to act on
✅ close to the point of purchase

Want to see how retailers across Europe activate seasonal moments with measurable impact? Connect with ELMA for insights, case studies and best practices.