By Yemisi Suleiman

Valentine’s Day is upon us; a day typically commemorated by widespread celebrations, with people feasting with their partners, relatives, friends, and the needy.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, we expect to exchange love messages via thoughtful cards, flower bouquets, heart-shaped chocolates, fashion items, and romantic dinners; gestures that will undoubtedly, make your loved one’s heart skip a beat.

However, the current economic condition seems to have hampered the pace and flavour of this year’s festivity for fans. As Valentine’s Day approaches, Allure spoke with gift vendors about current business trends and Valentine’s Day expectations.

Ngozi Nwabu – Nigerians are naturally happy people

Ngozi Nwabu is the Chief Executive officer of Ziy Closet, a brand that specializes in handmade leather products; from slippers to wallets, shoes, belts, and purses. A medical doctor by profession, Ngozi revealed that, ZIY Closet began while she was a student in medical school, looking for an alternative source of income.

What does Valentine mean to you?

Valentine’s Day is a day set aside to show love to our loved ones, especially our significant other. Although you shouldn’t wait till Valentine’s Day to show love to your person (it’s a constant thing), Valentine’s Day just reminds us about love and presents another great opportunity to express this love through gifts.

As a gift vendor, what would you say is the preferred gift for Valentine?

As a gift vendor, my most preferred Valentine’s gifts are footwear, belts, and wallets not just because I sell them, but, because they’re most ideal and every man appreciates these items based on the reviews we get every day.

What are you stocking specially this year?

Honestly, we are stocking all our products; slippers, mules, shoes, wallets, 2-in-1 reversible belts and purses. This is because they get sold out fast, especially during this period! My customers have good eyes.

With the economic situation, how are love vendors like you preparing?

To be honest, it is hard. The cost of materials increases every week and we keep reviewing our prices because we can’t compromise on our quality. Our customers understand.

Do you see Nigerians celebrating massively as they used to?

Well, yes. Nigerians are naturally happy people and we’ve all grown that thick skin. So, nothing can stop our shine. People would always buy.

Seun Odumosun-Eboigbe – We love to celebrate

Seun Odumosu-Eboigbe is the Founder and Creative head of Lipstickbyseun. She holds a degree in Economics from Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, and a certificate in Fashion from the London College of Fashion, UK.

Seun has worked with brands like Chika Ike, Kefee, and appeared on runways of fashion such as the most recent Fashions Finest Africa Epic show.

What does Valentine mean to you?

Valentine’s Day to me, is a day to show and share love. Ideally, this should be expressed in everyday life by extending acts of love, kindness, and appreciation, but Valentine’s Day serves as a dedicated moment for celebration. To me, it should inspire daily kindness, gratitude, and affection, fostering a positive and uplifting atmosphere in both our personal and professional life.

As a gift vendor, what would you say are the preferred gifts for Valentine’s?

Preferred gifts for Valentine’s Day will be customized items like, personalised clothing items or accessories with initials, names, or special dates.

What is the trend for Valentine’s gifts this year?

Couple’s candles, personalised clothing, breakfast in bed, chocolates and flowers (never go out of season), Naughty cards/board games, matching outfits, stuffed toys, beauty products, etc.

With the economic situation, how are you preparing?

During this period, we have chosen to produce only limited quantities of our designs. We also try to communicate with our customers to know what they want. So, right now, most of our capsule collections only come in &&Limited editions. Also, we are slowly moving into Made-to-fit, where our customers and the general public see what we have available on our pages, they order and then we produce specifically for them. This helps us reduce inventory and waste. Also, Lipstick by Seun understands the economic challenges and will be running discount sales soon. So, look out for that on our pages and take advantage when it pops up.

Do you see Nigerians celebrating massively as they used to?

Normally, Nigerians love to celebrate. It doesn’t matter how bad the economy is, we love to impress. So, I don’t see it reducing at all.

As a designer, what are you stocking this year?

We would be stocking beautiful dresses, personalised boubous, kimonos, and other customised services to attain personalised effects on outfits.

Adenike Taiwo – Best time to receive and give

Adenike Taiwo, CEO of EverythingTreats, started the brand as a pastime because it was a part of her, but she had no idea what was in store for her. Growing up in a supportive and active atmosphere, provided her the motivation to never give up, which has had a long-term impact on her company, as it has continued to grow and expand.

What does Valentine mean to you?

Valentine’s is a day to reaffirm one’s love for whoever we consider to care about. It’s a day to rekindle the love spark

As a gift vendor, what would you say are the preferred gifts for Valentine?

Food, because no one can choose good food as an enemy.

What are you stocking specially for this year?

Gift boxes and Goodies.

With the economic situation, how are you preparing?

We are preparing for the best; every value of our items will be worth their money.

Do you see Nigerians celebrating massively as they used to?

Everyone is struggling with one or two at the moment, I think this will be the best time for one to receive and give back for the sake of love.

Chioma Enechionyia – Nigerians know how to love and spend

Yellow Pebble is a balloon designing company that designs present packages, style proposals, and private celebrations. Chioma Enechionyia founded the firm with the goal of developing stunning designs to suit each client’s distinct personality and budget.

Chioma founded Yellow Pebble after deciding to address a vacuum in the balloon market with her inventive ideas. Balloons, for her, represent celebration.

What does Valentine mean to you?

Valentine to me means, showing love and appreciation to the people I love.

Valentine’s is upon us now, with the economic situation, how are you preparing?

Despite the economic situation, so many people are still willing and interested to celebrate and show appreciation to their loved ones, Chioma Enechionyia–and we are here to ensure we design beautiful packages for them.

What is the trend for Valentine’s gifts this year?

It’s still balloons, chocolates, roses, wine, teddies, and gift boxes but designed to look different from what was done last year.

As a gift vendor, what would you say is the preferred gift for Valentine?

Hmmm, Our Cupids 5 senses of love package, because it contains gifts that cater to our 5 senses.

Do you see Nigerians celebrating massively as they used to?

I see Nigerians celebrating massively. Nigerians know how to love and spend well for the person they love.

What are you stocking specially for this year?

Lots of balloons, Chocolates, and teddy’s

Monioluwa Ninuohungbogbo – Expressing Love is good therapy

Monioluwa Ninuohungbogbo is the Founder, Hush & Hush Florals and Events. Founded in 2015, the firm is well-known for carrying some of the greatest fresh and silk flowers, plants, landscaping, and other decorative items in the country. Born out of a desire to meet the wants of men and women, the brand has expanded over the years with a large clientele list that includes Coca-Cola, Nigerian Breweries, MTN, GLO, and Guinness, among others.

What does Valentine mean to you?

To me, it is basically, time to Express Love

As a gift vendor, what would you say is the preferred gift for Valentine?

Fresh Roses.

What are you stocking specially for this year?

We are stocking beautiful Flowers, both Fresh and silk flowers.

With the economic situation, how are love vendors preparing?

We are preparing for Valentine because we know expressing love is a very good therapy for the economic situation of the country, and all over the world.

Do you see Nigerians celebrating massively as they used to?

More than, because love conquers all.

What is the most popular flower for Valentine and why?

Red Roses, because it signifies love.

Do we appreciate flowers in this part of the world?

Yes, we do, to a very great extent.