SOUTHERN PROVINCE

MUHANGA — Sales of gift goods increased during this year’s Valentine’s Day, compared to last year, retailers said last week.

Most of the gift shops in Gitarama town had a lot of stock including valentines’ gifts but by evening most of the gift goods had been bought.

Eraste Rukundo, one of the famous traders, told The New Times that residents have changed the attitude towards the celebration of Valentines’ Day, that led to a sharp rise in sales.

"Residents are getting modernised and started appreciating the meaning of the Valentines’ Day. This change in attitude has been a chance for making more sales and this is how it should continue," Rukundo said.

Rukundo added: "Valentines Day celebrations only started making sense two years ago, but it’s surprising that most of the celebrants preferred expensive natural flowers to artificial ones which has not been the case."

The prices of valentine gifts varied but most shops sold at between Frw1,500 and Frw5,000 for flowers, while cards cost Frw500-1,000.

During the morning hours of Thursday, scores of residents clad in traditional day’s colours [red and black] were seen shopping gifts ranging from red flowers, cards and toad bears.

By evening time, bars and restaurants were also packed with celebrants, mostly youthful university students, while security officials also remained vigilant.

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