Valentine Week 2026 (February 7 to 14) is one of the few retail moments where convenience stores consistently punch above their weight. This is not about guesswork or hype. Year after year, industry sales trends show that shoppers turn to c-stores for last-minute gifts, impulse treats, and easy add-ons.

If you stock right and merchandise smart, this single week can deliver a $3,000 to $15,000 revenue lift depending on store size. The difference between winning and missing out is simple: preparation. This guide breaks down what actually sells, how much to stock, and how to set up your store so customers buy more without needing to be convinced.

Why Valentine Week Is a Reliable Profit Window

By February 12 and 13, customers are not browsing. They are on a mission. They want something fast, affordable, and “good enough” to show effort. Convenience stores win because they are close, often open 24/7, and easy to navigate.

Valentine’s Day spending is projected to hit $27.5B to $29B in 2026, and convenience stores are well-positioned to capture last-minute, impulse-driven purchases:

• Candy and chocolate account for over 50% of Valentine-related purchases

• Flowers and greeting cards reach roughly 40% buyer penetration

• Foot traffic increases by 15 to 25% between Feb 12 and Feb 14

• Seasonal margins rise to 40 to 60%, compared to 30% on regular items

Stores that prepare see repeatable gains. Candy categories alone often jump 20 to 50% during this week. Stores that understock regularly lose $1,000 or more per day in missed sales due to empty pegs and sold-out flowers. The demand is there whether you are ready or not.

What Valentine Week Can Add to Your Bottom Line

Based on multi-year seasonal performance across US convenience stores, here’s what most operators can realistically expect:

Small Stores (<2,000 sq ft)

• Baseline weekly sales: ~$20K

• Typical Valentine lift: $4K to $5K (20 to 25%)

• Estimated profit at 45% margins: ~$2K

Medium Stores (2,000 to 3,500 sq ft)

• Baseline weekly sales: ~$40K

• Typical Valentine lift: $10K to $14K (25 to 35%)

• Estimated profit: $5K to $7K

Large Stores (>3,500 sq ft)

• Baseline weekly sales: $60K+

• Typical Valentine lift: $18K+ (30% or more)

• Estimated profit: $9K+

For many owners, one strong Valentine Week offsets a slow January and stabilizes early Q1 cash flow.

Stocking and Display Strategy by Store Size

Preparation should match your footprint. Overloading a small store hurts flow. Underusing space in a large store leaves money on the table.

Small Stores: Focus Beats Variety

Tight spaces win by doing fewer things better.

What to Stock

• ~1,000 candy and chocolate units

• 100 flower bundles

• 300 greeting cards

Space Plan

• 12 ft candy endcap

• 4 ft card spinner

• 5 sq ft flower cooler or display

What Works

Simple bundles at checkout like a $5 candy plus card combo lift average basket size by around 20%. Placing flowers where drivers can see them from the lot increases quick-stop purchases.

Realistic Outcome

$3K to $5K in extra revenue is common for well-executed small stores.

Medium Stores: Balanced and High-Impact

This is where most US c-stores sit, and the returns are strong when displays are coordinated.

What to Stock

• ~2,400 candy and chocolate units

• 200 flower bundles

• 500 greeting cards

• 400 themed beverages or small gift items

Space Plan

• 18 ft candy run

• 10 sq ft flower cooler

• 6 ft card section

• 15 sq ft add-on gift area

What Works

Cross-merchandising chocolate next to flowers increases multi-item purchases. Seasonal endcaps consistently outperform regular shelving for impulse sales. If you want more hands-on merchandising and promo ideas beyond inventory planning, check out our Valentine’s Day Tips for Convenience Stores guide.

Realistic Outcome

$8K to $12K in additional revenue is achievable with proper execution.

Large Stores: Create a Valentine Zone

Larger stores benefit from making Valentine’s feel like a “mini-season” in-store.

What to Stock

• 3,000+ candy and chocolate units

• 400 flower bundles

• 800 greeting cards

• 600 beverages, plush, or themed gifts

Space Plan

• Dedicated Valentine aisle

• 20 sq ft flower display

• Floor stacks and kiosk promos near foodservice

What Works

“Last-Minute Love” zones near checkout and coffee stations drive strong add-on sales. Exterior signage increases foot traffic during peak days.

Realistic Outcome

$12K to $15K+ in incremental revenue, with displays alone contributing a significant share.

Category Breakdown: What Actually Moves

These are the categories that sell the most during Valentine Week, based on what shoppers actually pick up in real stores.

Candy and Chocolate for Valentine’s Day

This is your anchor category. Anticipate 60-70% sales surge compared to your typical week. Non-chocolate candy continues to grow faster in dollar sales, while boxed chocolates remain a classic Valentine add-on. Margins typically sit between 40 and 60%.

Flowers for Valentine’s Day

Price points between $5 and $15 convert best. Visibility is key. When flowers are easy to spot, conversion rates increase noticeably, even in fuel-only stops.

Valentine’s Day Greeting Cards

High-margin, low-risk category. Cards pair naturally with candy and flowers and add easy dollars to the basket with almost no spoilage risk.

Valentine’s Day Beverages

Themed drinks, plush items, and novelty gifts account for smaller volume but strong impulse value. These work best near checkout or foodservice.

How MostEdge Supports Smarter Valentine Week Execution

Operators who use MostEdge Store360 rely less on instinct and more on live data. Real-time stock alerts help avoid sellouts on top candy SKUs before February 13. Trend-based ordering by store size prevents overbuying slow movers. Loyalty data helps turn one-time Valentine shoppers into repeat customers.

Stores using data-led replenishment typically see 10 to 20% higher seasonal sell-through with less leftover stock.

What a “Win” Looks Like in Real Terms

Here’s what Valentine Week success looks like when execution is done right and high-demand products are in stock.

• A small store adding $4K in sales with ~$1.8K in profit

• A medium store clearing $12K in extra revenue with ~$6K in profit

• A large store adding $18K with ~$9K in profit

These outcomes are grounded in consistent seasonal performance seen across US convenience stores, not best-case scenarios or one-off results.

Final Take

Valentine Week is not about hoping customers show up. They will. The only real question is whether your shelves are ready when they do. Owners who plan early, stock with intent, and merchandise clearly turn one holiday week into one of the strongest profit periods of Q1.

Start with an inventory audit today. Order with confidence. Build displays that make buying easy. When the rush hits, you will not be scrambling. You will be selling.