Tech is trending this Valentine’s Day, says eBay

Today will bear witness to a peak pre-Valentine’s Day rush for UK online shoppers, as they look to snap up last minute gifts in time for delivery.

That’s according to research from eBay Advertising, which saw a 20% spike in searches for ‘Valentine’s’ on its UK site on 10th February last year, compared to the previous day. This also reveals that new technologies are all the rage.

The rise in searches for ‘Valentine’s’ in the Mobile Phones & Communication category on ebay.co.uk outstripped the Jewellery & Watches category on 10th February last year, jumping 34% and 20% respectively overnight.

Meanwhile, searches for truly romantech gifts – technology bought with romantic intentions – such as Fitbit and Go Pro grew 18% and 23%, while smart speakers rose 73%, compared to the previous day. ‘Dyson supersonic hairdryer’ also jumped 33% during this timeframe.

“Now that technology is an integral part of many top-of-the range products – from hairdryers to cameras and watches – what’s considered to be a romantic gift is changing,” says Mike Klinkhammer, Director of Advertising Sales EU at eBay.

“As mindsets evolve, it’s imperative for brands to use insights to understand trends and adapt their campaigns accordingly, to ensure they’re being as smart as possible with their spend. And, with shoppers out in force until the last possible moment, brands have a brilliant opportunity to connect with consumers throughout their shopper journey, from inspiration through to last minute purchases.”