Businesses ‘fall in love’ with their customers to start the year maintaining the 12% growth in sales in 2022

Three days after Valentine’s Day and with a weekend in between, the commercial sector is targeting its strategies in search of attracting demand and increasing its income on the first commercial date of the year.

Discounts and sweepstakes are some of these tactics used by businesses.

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For example, Dipaso offers 50% off the second item in its stores and also, for every $50 in purchases from participating brands, the chance to enter a raffle for weekends at resorts, romantic dinners, and holidays. spa.

However, perfumes, candies, chocolates and stuffed animals are the businesses that have attracted the most demand since last week, according to those in charge. This is the case of Perfumes Factory, located in the Mall del Sur. Andrea Cuzco, a local vendor, assured that sales for Valentine’s Day began to grow since last Monday.

“Perfumes are one of the favorite gifts for this date. Women buy them more than men,” revealed Cuzco, who assured that the business receives around 30% additional income in February compared to other months, except for Christmas and New Year’s Eve when sales grow much more.

For his part, Miguel Ángel González, president of the Guayaquil Chamber of Commerce (CCG), confirmed that there is great expectation from the commercial sector around this festivity. And it is mainly sought to maintain the good economic rhythm that sales had in 2022, when they grew at an annual rate of 12%.

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“We hope to maintain that trend in 2023 and this date is an opportunity to start the year on the right foot,” said González, who projects that sales in restaurants and beverage services for this month will be around $185.5 million, almost $ 28 million more than in February 2022 ($157.6 million), that is, 18% more.

In 2019, February sales were $177.6 million, in 2020: $180.9 million, and in 2021: $120.6 million.

The president of the Chamber estimated that the shops selling chocolates will also have a good February. “From the Chamber we forecast that chocolate sales will reach $23 million, that is, a year-on-year growth of 2%,” said González.

One of these stores is Candy Shop, also located in the Mall del Sur, where they expect the sale to be reactivated this weekend prior to February 14, said the manager Gabriela Valbuena, who added that these details are bought more by men than by women.

Other shopping centers, such as the Policentro, in the north, also expect more movement of visitors for this weekend and in general for the whole month.

For the Day of Love and Friendship, the shopping center prepared different face-to-face activities such as ‘Love takes us far’, a raffle for a trip for two couples with all expenses paid to a destination of their choice: Punta Cana, San Andrés or Cartagena. To participate, people must present $25 in cumulative purchase invoices, from February 1 to 28.

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Stores such as Estuardo Sánchez also plan to grow their sales this month, which began with an increase in demand, according to Verónica Salazar, the company’s Purchasing Manager, who assured that the offer of Valentine’s Day products increased by 30% compared to the 2022.

“We offer more than 200 items for Valentine’s Day. We have a variety of gift covers, stuffed animals, flowers, decorations, etc.,” said the executive, who expects a growth between 15% and 20% ahead of last year, added to the beach and carnival campaign.

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Meanwhile, the Valentine’s offer is also moving through the platforms of deliveries.

According to Rappi, among the categories that experience a significant increase are RappiMall, which by February 14 multiplies its sales by approximately 200%, followed by restaurants with a growth of more than 35% and supermarkets with a growth of 30%. , of the total requests.

In the RappiMall category, the five most curious products found in Rappi for Valentine’s Day are beauty kits, fashion accessories, perfumery, sex toys, stuffed animals, condoms and fresh seasonal flowers.

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