How inflation is affecting Valentine’s Day shopping in Sacramento

The cost of everyday essentials is rising, and Valentine’s Day products are no exception. Inflation rose 7.5% in January from the previous year, exceeding December’s 40-year high. Regardless, people still have a very real need for anything Valentine’s-related, as evident with the rush in Sacramento shops.Icing on the Cupcake business owners Shelly Schnetz and Stephanie Sikich said they are paying about 10 to 50% more on each ingredient. This has forced them to offset their costs to avoid losing money.”It obviously affects the bottom line, but what we can do is work more efficiently. We did increase prices a tad – it’s not going to absorb what we’re absorbing,” Shelley said, adding that they feel like their hands are tied.They’ve even modified their days of operation to save and are closed on Mondays since it’s been the slowest day for sales. Shelley said she is, however, thankful for the support from customers. “I just think in the months to come as people are noticing the price increases, maybe things are going to maybe drop off. Hopefully not,” she said.G. Rossi Florist in downtown Sacramento said it is doing fine, on the other hand, because it gets its product locally, avoiding any stock shortages or effects of inflation.According to the National Retail Federation, the average person is expected to spend $175.41, up from $164.76 in 2021, on Valentine’s Day this year. Across the country, spending is expected to reach $23.9 billion — the second-highest year on record — compared to $21.8 billion in 2021.

The cost of everyday essentials is rising, and Valentine’s Day products are no exception.

Inflation rose 7.5% in January from the previous year, exceeding December’s 40-year high. Regardless, people still have a very real need for anything Valentine’s-related, as evident with the rush in Sacramento shops.

Icing on the Cupcake business owners Shelly Schnetz and Stephanie Sikich said they are paying about 10 to 50% more on each ingredient. This has forced them to offset their costs to avoid losing money.

“It obviously affects the bottom line, but what we can do is work more efficiently. We did increase prices a tad – it’s not going to absorb what we’re absorbing,” Shelley said, adding that they feel like their hands are tied.

They’ve even modified their days of operation to save and are closed on Mondays since it’s been the slowest day for sales.

Shelley said she is, however, thankful for the support from customers.

“I just think in the months to come as people are noticing the price increases, maybe things are going to maybe drop off. Hopefully not,” she said.

G. Rossi Florist in downtown Sacramento said it is doing fine, on the other hand, because it gets its product locally, avoiding any stock shortages or effects of inflation.

According to the National Retail Federation, the average person is expected to spend $175.41, up from $164.76 in 2021, on Valentine’s Day this year. Across the country, spending is expected to reach $23.9 billion — the second-highest year on record — compared to $21.8 billion in 2021.