Hong Kong’s flower industry is facing unprecedented logistical hurdles and reduced sales projections as the traditionally lucrative Valentine’s Day holiday in 2026 coincides with the city’s mass exodus for the Lunar New Year break. The calendar alignment, which sees Valentine’s Day falling on Saturday, February 14, just three days before the start of the Lunar New Year holiday on February 17, is projected to significantly depress consumer spending on romantic gestures.
Florists and importers typically rely on February 14 for a substantial portion of their annual income. However, the timing of the extended Chinese New Year holiday—the most important observance in the Chinese calendar—is prompting many Hong Kong residents to depart the metropolitan area early, prioritizing family travel over romantic celebrations.
Margaret Chan, a veteran florist in Mong Kok, expressed significant concern. “Valentine’s Day is usually one of the three busiest days of our year,” Chan stated. “But this year, many of our routine customers are confirming they will be traveling overseas or to the mainland before the 14th.”
Travel Priorities Undercut Flower Sales
The main challenge stems from the nature of the Lunar New Year holiday, which transforms Hong Kong into a travel hub. With travel plans, including flights and accommodation, often booked months in advance, David Wong, a manager at a Central flower shop, noted that even significant holidays like Valentine’s Day are unlikely to alter expensive itineraries.
This pre-holiday pressure is forcing some retailers to encourage early purchases, arranging deliveries for February 12 or 13. This alternative, however, presents complications. Suppliers maintain peak Valentine’s Day pricing for roses, meaning florists incur high costs while the perceived romantic value of an early delivery is diminished for consumers. Furthermore, the absence of last-minute impulse buyers—who contribute significantly to February 14 revenue—is a major worry for street vendors.
Supply Chain Gamble and Adaptation
The compressed holiday schedule has created instability throughout the supply chain. Importers responsible for sourcing millions of roses from high-volume markets like Ecuador, Colombia, and Kenya are ordering more cautiously to mitigate risk. One importer, speaking anonymously due to sensitive business strategy, confirmed ordering approximately 30 percent less stock than in typical Valentine’s Day seasons, classifying the move as a protective measure against unsold, perishable inventory.
In response, some local growers in the New Territories are adjusting production, diverting resources away from roses and toward traditional Lunar New Year flora such as orchids, peonies, and kumquat trees, which maintain consistent holiday-period demand.
Retail florists are exploring creative solutions to navigate the expected downturn. Shops in high-traffic areas like Tsim Sha Tsui and Central are introducing “travel-friendly” arrangements, including smaller bouquets or preserved flowers that can accompany travelers. Other shops are entirely shifting their marketing focus, prioritizing Lunar New Year decorations and seeking corporate accounts with hotels and restaurants that remain open throughout the weekend.
Cautious Optimism Remains
Despite industry-wide concern, not all observers are pessimistic. Analysts point out that Hong Kong remains a large city with millions of residents who will not be traveling, including expatriates and local workers without extended holiday leave.
“Hong Kong’s population is still substantial,” Wong observed. “Even with an exodus, there is a large base of people who will remain, and for whom love celebrations will continue.”
The industry recognizes that the unique conjunction of the holidays will serve as a learning experience for future planning, given the cyclical nature of the Chinese lunar calendar. Florists, however, remain determined. Tommy Leung, who operates a long-standing flower stall in Causeway Bay, concluded, “We have adapted through SARS, political unrest, and the pandemic. This is merely another operational challenge. We will find a way to adapt, as we always do.”