$22m Valentine’s Day bonanza predicted for NSW economy

Valentine’s Day is set to inject $22m into the NSW economy as couples wine, dine and celebrate the day of love with lavish gifts. No plans? We’ve got you covered - whether you’re single or coupled-up.

Millions of Sydney couples will wine and dine in romantic dates across the city’s restaurants cafes and bars on Friday, giving a welcome shot of love to the state’s economy.

The amount spent on dining out on Valentine’s Day in NSW is expected to hit nearly $22m with more than 550,000 transactions, according to exclusive NAB data revealed to The Daily Telegraph.

Meanwhile, nearly $5.5m will be spent at cocktail lounges and bars through 200,000 transactions.

Business NSW chief executive Daniel Hunter said the day was a great opportunity for love, but also for operators to drive sales, attract new customers and offset the high cost of doing business.

“Valentine’s Day is an opportunity for NSW’s 3.4 million couples to make our businesses really feel the love. I say make this Valentine’s Day one to remember,” Mr Hunter told The Daily Telegraph.

Giulia Treuner and George Kral at Surry Hills restaurant Giuls. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Despite flat household spending in recent months and retail trade showing slight declines, Mr Hunter said businesses were in a prime position to benefit from the upcoming surge in consumer spending.

“NSW’s payroll tax hikes since 2023 have left many businesses heartbroken — but they’re hoping Valentine’s Day sales bring some much-needed love,” he said.

“With consumers expected to spend up, small businesses are well-positioned to take advantage.

“It’s a great chance for shoppers to support local businesses when they need it most.”

According to data revealed by The Daily Telegraph last week, it is expected 3.8 million Australians will buy gifts for someone special, with 27 per cent of those shoppers in the 18-34 demographic.

NSW will dominate at the checkout, with $210 million expected to be spent on the celebration of love.

Haenu Park and Thomas Burgeot enjoy a drink at Opera Bar. Picture Thomas Lisson

For some business owners like Giulia Treuner and George Kral, who run Italian restaurant Giuls in Surry Hills, Valentine’s Day isn’t a personal celebration but an opportunity for business success.

“It’s a very busy day for us,” Treuner told The Daily Telegraph.

“It’s in our top 10 busiest days of the year.

“As we both work in hospitality we have never had the day off to celebrate.

But it’s worth it for our businesses.”

NAB Small Business Banking executive Krissie Jones said events like Valentine’s Day provided a spending boost – with heart – to the economy.

“Florists, restaurants, jewellery stores, chocolate shops, bakeries and everything in between spend a long time preparing for the most romantic day of the year, “Ms Jones said.

“It’s fantastic to see Australians showing their love to local businesses.

“If you’re walking through the city on Friday night expect to see busy restaurants and eateries and loved-up people making a date out of it.”

For those looking for last-minute Valentine’s Day plans, there are still plenty of options available to book. Here is The Daily Telegraph last minute guide:

THE SINGLES CELEBRATING GALENTINE’S DAY

For the past seven years, Sydneysider Hannah Zaslawski has ignored Valentine’s Day.

The popular content creator has been single on the loved-up holiday so, while her friends have been on dates with their partners, she’s ­chosen to spend it on the couch with a pizza.

“With my friends we celebrate Gal-entine’s Day the week before, but as a single person I’m not going to go to a restaurant on Valentine’s Day,” she said.

Hannah Zaslawski will host a Valentine’s Day dinner for singles Picture: Justin Lloyd

In January, Zaslawski featured in The Daily Telegraph’s dating documentary Heartbreak Harbour. As someone who had recently moved back to Sydney from London, she said she noticed a considerable difference in the straight dating culture in the Harbour City.

“The biggest thing for me, between dating in Sydney and dating in London, is that men are more willing to approach women in London.

“Whereas in Sydney, I don’t think men are willing to approach. If they’re on a night out with their friends, they’re just hanging out with their friends. They’re not going to go and talk to a woman.”

Last year, as an experiment, she decided to go on 50 first dates. But this year, she’s taking some time to be with herself.

“Doing so many dates last year, I needed a break and realised I lost my time with myself. I lost focus of myself, so it’s a nice time to step back and focus on me,” she said.

“But don’t get me wrong, I still have moments where should be out there dating.”

This year the 32-year-old has decided to do something ­different and celebrate being single.

Zaslawski has partnered with LoveHoney to host an aphrodisiac-inspired three-course pop-up dinner at Chippendale for singles.

The event is free to attend and Zaslawski said she hoped it would “empower singles”.

“It’s a space for people to come together who are single and be reminded that we are not alone, and that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about romantic love,” she said.

“I’m on a big self love journey at the moment, so it’s nice I can explore that without being in a restaurant by myself.”

With Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday this year, there are many venues and businesses across Sydney appealing to those who aren’t in a couple.

For dating company CitySwoon, Valentine’s Day is the busiest time of the year.

CEO Chris Marnie hosted a speed dating and party event for 300 singles in Sydney on Thursday night and has numerous events across the country this weekend. Over the entire Valentine’s Day week, over 2500 singles will have attended a dating event.

“The stigma about only going out on Valentine’s Day if you’re in a couple is being pushed back. People want to go out and there is never a sense of desperation,” Marnie said. “What better way to spend the day then in a big venue filled with singles, in a fun and safe atmosphere?”

Marnie said that, each year, more and more people are choosing to attend these Valentine’s Day single events as they tire of the dating app culture.

“People are sick of sitting and swiping,” he said. “Our events are about having fun and there is never a sense of desperation. Even if you don’t meet someone, it’s about having a good time.”

— by Karlie Rutherford

How are you celebrating Valentine’’s Day? Tell us in the comments below.

Originally published as $22m Valentine’s Day bonanza predicted for NSW economy