International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8th, celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. In recent years, it has grown into one of the UK’s biggest flower-giving occasions, according to the latest sales data.
The event has become increasingly significant in honouring women in business, sport and everyday life, with Tesco reporting that it now ranks among the top flower-giving occasions of the year—just behind Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Easter.
Over the past three years, the supermarket has seen a surge in demand for flowers in the lead-up to the day, with nearly 300,000 additional bouquets sold on average. Tesco first identified this trend several years ago and has since observed a steady rise in bouquet sales for the occasion.
According to Tesco flower buyer Ryan Daley, “The celebration of International Women’s Day has taken off in the UK, as reflected in the growing number of bouquets purchased around this special day. It’s a wonderful opportunity to recognize women’s achievements, and gifting flowers is a meaningful way to show appreciation and admiration.”
Tulips and roses are the most popular choices for International Women’s Day. Flower-giving in general has seen a strong resurgence after being one of the first luxuries to decline during lockdown and the cost-of-living crisis. Last year, Tesco reported a 20% rise in demand for its premium Finest bouquets, equating to more than a million extra bouquets sold compared to the previous year.