As the city celebrated Rose Day on February 7, florists across Pune experienced a massive surge in sales, with thousands of roses sold throughout the day. From the bustling streets of FC Road to the vibrant Pimpri Market, florists were busy catering to the overwhelming demand for roses in every color imaginable. Vendors shared how the day, which marks the start of Valentine's Week, has evolved over the years and become one of the most profitable and emotionally charged occasions for their trade.
"Rose Day has always been special for us," said Raviraj Shinde, 46, who has been running his flower shop on FC Road for the past 23 years. "The demand for roses shoots up, and we see a huge jump in sales. On regular days, red roses sell for Rs 10 per flower, while pink and white roses go for Rs 15. But today, with the demand so high, red roses are Rs 30 each, and pink and white roses are ₹40 each. Still, people happily buy them because roses are not just flowers; they carry emotions."
Raviraj shared how sales typically hover between 60-70%, but on Rose Day, they spike to 80-90%. "The stock keeps coming in, and within no time, it's gone again. Over the years, I have seen Rose Day change a lot. Earlier, it was just about red roses symbolizing love, but now, people pick different colors—pink for admiration, white for peace, and even mixed bouquets. Social media and online trends have also boosted the craze, with more people celebrating this day than before. It's a beautiful feeling to see so many people expressing their emotions through flowers."
Read more at The Indian Express