Valentines Day is right around the corner, and with it comes a bundle of opportunities for your college bookstore! As with every year, there are new and exciting trends to consider while you prepare for the day of love but doing that alone can be a bit daunting. We’ve compiled a handy list of retail insights you can use in your college bookstore to make the most of Valentines Day in 2026!
You Can Never Go Wrong With The Essentials
If you’re struggling find good items for Valentines Day, it’s always a good idea to start with the essentials. Staple holiday items like gift cards, candy, and chocolate form a solid core selling strategy for any bookstore, especially considering many college students with limited budgets. Stocking these basics for Valentines Day gives your bookstore leverage to compete with dollar stores that student shoppers might go to otherwise.
Make Shopping Easy With Gift Sets
For many shoppers, finding the right gift for a special occasion can be challenging. Your bookstore has an opportunity to deliver value and convenience for these shoppers by offering pre-made gift sets. Curated gift sets let your customers easily find something nice to gift to their loved one without the hassle of scrounging the isles one-by-one to find an individual item.
Gifts for Pets Are On The Rise
Last year, pet owners spent nearly $2 billion on Valentines Day gifts for their furry loved ones. 2026 is no different, with a third of consumers searching for holiday items to give to their pets. Consider stocking up on Valentines Day items geared towards dogs, cats, and other common pets for the animal lovers in your college bookstore!
Good Friends Get Gifts Too
Roughly one third of consumers plan to purchase a Valentines Day gift for a close friend. Gifts centered around friendship and appreciation for platonic relationships are sure to be a big hit for your bookstore! It’s a good idea to stock friend-centric valentines day cards and small gifts that your shoppers can add to their purchase.
Sources
https://www.mikmak.com/blog/valentines-day-2026-shoppable-commerce-tactics
https://www.accio.com/business/trendingvalentines2026
https://community.commercenext.com/love-in-the-air-valentines-day-trends/
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