Epidemic dampens Valentine’s Day in China, boosts online sales

As the battle against the novel coronavirus pneumonia in China goes on, the epidemic has dampened Valentine’s Day-related businesses, including entertainment venues and flower growers in China.

Couples would normally shop, go to a cinema, buy roses or eat at restaurants to celebrate lovers’ day. But this year, as China has been hit by an unexpected coronavirus outbreak, malls and restaurants have reduced their business operations, with KTVs and cinemas even staying closed.

Yang Ying, vice general manager of Windsor KTV, a leading KTV company in China, said that the Spring Festive holiday is normally the peak period for them, but they have closed their stores since January 24.

“KTV entertainment is different from restaurants, which could still offer home deliveries during the outbreak. Once we close an outlet, it means that the revenue becomes zero, but the costs including rent, salary and taxes still go on, which has placed huge pressure on us,” Yang said.

She said they normally expect 1.5 times more customers on Valentine’s Day, but on this year’s lovers’ day, the company is just thinking about how to survive amid the outbreak.

“Given our business size, we are a leading company in this sector and our cashflow is healthy,” Yang said.

“Despite these advantages, it is hard for us to go on if this situation extends to two or three months.”

Besides the entertainment industry, flower growers, especially rose farmers, are also hit by the COVID-19.

While the service sector suffers, e-commerce platforms have benefited as consumers would shop online out of safety concerns.

According to a document provided by e-commerce platform JDDJ, the online sales of cakes, candies and chocolates have dramatically increased compared to last year. The most popular products are alcohol beverages, disinfectant and nutritional health products, with sales of disinfectants increasing 9.6 times.