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Bongani Ndlovu Saturday Leisure Correspondent
CUPID’S arrow has certainly struck the heart of Bulawayo as Valentines Day fever grips the city.
Most shops dotted in the different parts of the city are already displaying an assortment of gifts such as teddy bears, perfumes, gift baskets, roses and gift cards in the traditional red and white colours synonymous with the “day of love”.
Window shopping is the order of the day with people walking around to find the perfect gift to show their affection to their loved ones during this special day.
This year it seems shops are outdoing each other on prices as there are different prices for the same type of Valentine gifts.
Women again this year expect gifts from their loved ones.
It is only when it’s a leap year that women buy presents for their lovers on Valentines Day.
Leap year or no leap year, some women have vowed never to buy gifts for their lovers as they believe it is men who should buy gifts.
Saturday Leisure went around the city and found that shops like Great Expectations, Gift Box, Meikles and many others were already displaying Valentines gifts.
Great Expectations owner Stanslous Mupundu said this year he wanted men to buy their lovers big items such as beds and wardrobes.
He said to celebrate Valentines Day, his shop had goods specific for lovers.
“We have leatherette bases on sale and people can come in during this period and buy on cash or even on hire purchase. This year we want people to buy beds, fridges, wardrobes and the like for their loved ones,” said Mupundu.
He said last year they recorded brisk business during the Valentines period but judging by business recorded just before the Christmas festivities, he did not expect much business this year.
“We were making $5000 daily at the gift shop last year during the Valentines period. The busiest day was Valentines Day when we realised more than $5000,” said Mupundu.
On the day of love Mupundu said the shop will be opened for late night shopping to cater for those who want to do last minute shopping.
Owner of Gift Box, Lucretia Gwisai said chocolates were selling like hot cakes and she was failing to meet demand.
She said her gifts were made to suit the taste of individual customers.
“People come in and place orders and I will help them pick the goodies that they want for their loved ones. We make custom gifts for people who want to surprise their loved ones,” said Gwisai.
She said she has been in business since last December and she expects good business during Valentines Day.
“I have been in business for just over two months and I feel that Valentines will be a good month for business. We have been having orders for these presents as far back as two weeks and I expect that number to increase this coming week and greater during the week of Valentines,” said Gwisai.
At the City Hall those selling flowers are also gearing up for the day as they also look for roses.
Flowers that are popular with Valentines Day are lillies, tulips, gerbera daisies, hydrangea, orchids, fragrant flowers such as gardenias, freesia and hyacinths, callas, succulents and the popular red roses.
Online Reporter