Brands are coming up with experiences to reach quarantine couples during COVID, but Valentine’s Day plans are still going looking very different this year. Due to the ongoing pandemic, some people are “vetoing” it completely, while others are just celebrating it differently, like opting to stay in with a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, or pizza. Some businesses have been especially impacted: Event planners, who are usually “barraged” with inquiries this year, have noticed a “lack of enthusiasm.” However, some companies are still trying to reach cooped up couples: Dunkin’, White Castle, and Lowe’s are among the brands who’ve launched live, in-person events for Valentine’s Day as a way to “gauge consumers’ comfort level.” YPulse’s Valentine’s Day report found that 69% of 13-39-year-olds celebrating the holiday will be staying in compared to 31% who plan on going out. (NYTimes, Marketing Dive)
