(3 February 2014) A surge of heart-shaped designs, often in various shades of red, signalled the start of the 2014 Valentine’s Day shopping season on South Africa’s largest online marketplace www.bobshop.co.za.

A number of about 9000 sellers who sell on Bob Shop each month have taken trouble to romance the shoppers by including in their listings at least a hint of the popular holiday associated with all manifestations of love, and especially romantic love. In the period of one week towards the end of January, the number of listings with the word “Valentine” in the title increased by about 20%.

“The competition in the online sphere is becoming fiercer all the time. Sellers on Bob Shop know that they increase the chances of their wares being seen and bought if they keep their listings seasonal and topical,” says Bob Shop CEO Jaco Jonker and adds:”The Bob Shop platform offers several seasonal catalogues, among them Valentine’s Day. These catalogues are promoted on the site and our sellers make use of them.”

Valentine’s Day is one of the largest shopping events on Bob Shop, following on the heels of the Christmas and Back to School trading seasons.

This year, many shoppers on Bob Shop are opting for an “experiential” Valentine’s Day gift, such as a couple’s luxury spa treatment or a weekend getaway for two. Also popular are various products that feature a heart motif or are shaped like a heart: gemstones, pillowcases, cushions, jewellery boxes, teddy bears, wall decals, and so on.

However, rings are the uncontested winners among the items dubbed as “the ideal Valentine’s Day gift” by the sellers. Judging by the number of ladies’ rings recently bought on Bob Shop, scores of South African women can expect their “significant other” to pop the question come 14 February.