Cupid Picks Your Pocket: Valentine’s Staples Up More Than 15% This Year

Cupid Picks Your Pocket: Valentine’s Staples Up More Than 15% This Year

Today, Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation released new analysis showing how President Trump’s economic policies are driving up the price of love. Prices for Valentine’s Day favorites have spiked over 15% on average this year, more than five times overall inflation. A box of Russell Stover assorted chocolates is up over 27%, a classic bouquet of roses will run 17% more this year, and the price of a ribeye steak for a cozy dinner at home is up more than 25%.

Even candy makers sacrificed romance amid this grim economic reality. Sweethearts, the iconic conversation hearts, now read “split rent,” “buy in bulk,” and “share log-in” as couples pinch pennies in the wake of higher prices. Consumers facing soaring prices will most certainly not be sending a love note to Trump’s economy.

Valentine’s Day prices are on voters’ minds. New Data for Progress polling reveals that just 13% of Americans expect this Valentine’s Day to be cheaper, and nearly half (47%) blame President Trump for making the holiday of love more expensive. Rising prices are yet another heartbreak for wallets, showing that the President hasn’t kept his promise to bring down costs for American families.

Groundwork’s Managing Director of Policy and Advocacy, Elizabeth Pancotti, shared her reaction:

“Sweethearts are facing sour prices this Valentine’s Day. Instead of celebrating with their loved ones, consumers are being forced to cut back. Trump’s claim that the economy is ‘booming’ couldn’t be further from reality for couples looking to spend a special holiday together.”

The Century Foundation Fellow Laura Valle Gutierrez added:

“President Trump may wish more Americans were looking at his economy through rose colored glasses, but there’s no love lost when it comes to the way people are feeling about the affordability crisis and rising costs. Lovers and friends can expect even more sticker shock when buying sweet treats for their special someone, as the prices on many Valentine’s Day favorites are up over 15%.”

Xs & Oh Nos: Valentine’s Day Staples More Expensive Across the Board

• Shoppers this Valentine’s Day face an average price increase of 15.3% on holiday favorites as Trump’s chaotic tariffs drive up prices on everything from roses to candy.
  • Prices on some imported wine may be up as much as 30% this Valentine’s Day, as a result of Trump’s 15% tariff on goods from the European Union.
  • After the president levied staggering tariffs on cocoa and chocolate products ranging from 15% to 39% for most of last year, confectioners were forced to cut down on ordering or raise their prices.
  • Last month, Trump announced additional tariffs on Colombia, the top cut-flower supplier to the United States.

As the cost of living continues to squeeze American families, Trump leaves voters on read, ignoring their concerns about the fallout of his economic agenda.

• Consumer confidence fell to its lowest point since 2014 in January, as working families evaluate their grim economic prospects.
• Recent polling finds that a majority (58%) of Americans believe Trump’s first year back in office a “failure.”
• Nearly six in ten adults say Trump has done more to hurt the cost of living, while only two in ten say he’s done more to help, according to a recent AP-NORC poll.