Hong Kong’s floral industry is navigating a challenging season as the convergence of Valentine’s Day and the Lunar New Year holiday exodus threatens to significantly depress typical romantic flower sales. With Valentine’s Day 2026 landing just three days before the start of the crucial Chinese New Year travel period, florists are preparing for a notable reduction in local demand as residents prioritize international and mainland travel over traditional February 14 celebrations.
The unusual calendar alignment places one of the year’s most profitable retail holidays—Valentine’s Day—immediately preceding the biggest travel period on the Chinese calendar. The Lunar New Year, which begins February 17, typically prompts a mass departure from Hong Kong as workers take advantage of extended leave for family reunions and overseas vacations. This accelerated exodus is pulling potential customers out of the city before they can generate customary Valentine’s Day revenue.
Margaret Chan, a seasoned florist operating in Mong Kok for over 15 years, expressed concern over the unique situation. “Valentine’s Day is usually one of our top three sales days,” Chan noted. “But this year, many of our reliable clients have already informed us they will be traveling before February 14, creating genuine worry.”
Travel Plans Overshadow Impulse Buying
Industry veterans explain that pre-booked, expensive holiday travel plans are unlikely to be altered for a single romantic celebration. David Wong, a manager at a flower shop in Central, highlighted the practical dilemma: “People have secured flights and hotel bookings months in advance. While Valentine’s Day is significant, it won’t override established travel expenditures that cost thousands of dollars.”
The timing complication has eroded the crucial segment of last-minute purchasers—a core revenue stream for Feb. 14. Tommy Leung, who manages a long-standing flower stall in Causeway Bay, estimates the impact on impulse sales. “We rely on customers lining up from lunchtime through the evening on Valentine’s Day itself,” Leung stated. “If the city empties out for the airport, who remains to buy the flowers?”
Some consumers are attempting to order bouquets early for delivery on February 12 or 13. However, this creates logistical hurdles. Florists note that major flower suppliers, typically sourcing roses globally from nations like Ecuador and Colombia, are not providing discounts for these premature deliveries, meaning the full elevated holiday pricing remains despite the diminished emotional impact of celebrating early.
Supply Chain Adjustments
The uncertainty is forcing difficult decisions across the supply chain. Flower importers face a high-stakes gamble: over-ordering risks vast quantities of perishable stock spoiling, while under-ordering could result in lost profits if local demand outperforms low expectations.
One importer, speaking anonymously, confirmed the widespread caution. “We’ve reduced our order quantity by roughly 30 percent compared to a typical year,” the importer admitted. “It feels like a safer, calculated risk, because unsold perishable flowers translate into total financial loss.”
Local cultivation is also shifting priorities. Farmers in the New Territories who typically grow both romantic flowers and traditional New Year flora are pivoting their focus almost entirely to high-demand Lunar New Year products, such as peonies, kumquat trees, and orchids, viewing them as a more reliably profitable market.
To mitigate anticipated losses, some florists are employing creative strategies. Shops in popular districts like Tsim Sha Tsui are introducing “travel-friendly” options, promoting smaller or dried floral arrangements that can survive short journeys or function as gifts during family visits. Other shops are entirely redirecting their marketing efforts toward Chinese New Year arrangements and pursuing corporate clients, like hotels, that will remain operational and require decorative floral services during the holiday weekend.
Despite the headwinds, some industry members retain cautious optimism, pointing out that millions of residents will remain in Hong Kong, including expatriates and those celebrating the holidays locally. As the industry adapts, florists are preparing for what will likely be a uniquely challenging, but highly informative, Valentine’s Day season.