Companies to Love on Valentines

AP

The Discover Card’s Fourth Annual Valentine’s Day Shopping Survey Reveals the Way to Someone’s Heart is Through Their Stomach.

• Men’s Feedback:
• 73% of men said they plan to buy their valentine’s a special dinner; 65% will buy flowers; and 51% candy or chocolate
• 56% of women in the survey expect to receive a special dinner; 48% expect flowers; and 39% would like to receive chocolates
• Women’s Feedback:
• 57% plan to buy a special dinner; 37% plan to buy music, books, DVDs or games; 44% will purchase chocolate or candy
• 53% of male respondents expect a special dinner, followed by a night on town (35%); while 31% expect a getaway

Based on these survey results, here are some companies that may share the love this Valentine’s Day.

1) Confectioners:

More men and women expect to buy chocolate this year

• Hershey sells its famous Kisses which are a Valentine’s classic (read more on HSY here)
• Cadbury is the world’s largest confectioner by sales
• Godiva was sold to Yildiz Holdings for $850M in Dec. 2007
• Mars, Inc. the makers of M&M’s is privately held
• Nestle SA is the world’s biggest food company

AP

2) Florists:

• 1-800-FLOWERS.com
• FTD Group

Perfume, Lingerie, and more

3) Perfume Manufacturers:

• International Flavors and Fragrances Inc.
• Parlux Fragrances Inc.
• Inter Parfums Inc.
• Elizabeth Arden Inc.
• Estee Lauder Companies Inc.
• Revlon Inc.

4) Specialty Retailers:

• Teddy Bears
• Build-A-Bear Workshop
• Vermont Teddy Bear is privately held

• Lingerie
• Limited Brands Inc. - owner of Victoria’s Secret
• Frederick’s of Hollywood
• The PajamaGram Company was taken private by the Mustang Group in May 2005 for $6.50 per share.

Jewelery, Cards and More

5) Jewelers:

• Tiffany’s
• Blue Nile Inc.
• Harry Winston
• Zale Corp.
• Ice.com is currently privately held with investments by Polaris Venture Partners and Ignition Partners.

6) Card makers:

• American Greetings
• CSS Industries

7) Restaurants

• Morton’s Restaurant Group Inc.
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House Inc.
• Landry’s Restaurants
• P.F. Chang’s
• Darden Restaurants Inc.

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