Valentine’s Day shopping goes agentic as Checkout.com data reveals rise in AI-led gifting

• Over a quarter of Brits would let an AI agent shop for Valentine’s Day, and 42 percent already use AI to choose gifts.
• Checkout.com payments data shows flower spend surges on 13th February as well as food delivery spikes on Valentine’s day.

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, research from Checkout.com reveals how UK consumers are beginning to embrace agentic AI tools that can actively search, decide and even purchase on a shopper’s behalf when buying gifts for meaningful occasions.

Checkout.com’s recent Peak Season research found that over a quarter of UK consumers (28 percent) say they would consider using an AI agent to make a purchase on their behalf for Valentine’s Day, signalling growing appetite for agentic commerce alongside traditional seasonal spending.

Checkout.com payments data also shows a recurring surge in spending on flowers on the day before Valentine’s Day. Checkout.com found that UK online flower sales surged 600 percent in 2024 and 558 percent in 2025 on 13th February compared with the average day that month, as shoppers rushed to prepare for Valentine’s Day.

There is a notable uplift in food delivery spending on Valentine’s Day itself. In 2024, food delivery spending rose by 37 percent on 14th February compared to the day before, while in 2025 it increased by 27 percent. This reflects a growing preference for cosy nights in, shared celebrations and more affordable ways to mark the occasion, whether that’s with a romantic partner, friends or family.

Beyond last-minute purchases, Checkout.com’s agentic research shows that consumers are already using AI when buying gifts. More than two in five UK consumers (42 percent) have used AI to help with gift ideas or choosing a present for their partner, while nearly a quarter (24 percent) have used it specifically for gift inspiration. Others are using AI to compare products, find the best deals and manage budgets.

Rory O’Neill, CMO, Checkout.com, said: “Valentine’s Day is a perfect example of how commerce is becoming more agentic. Consumers still want emotional, personal gifts,  but they’re increasingly comfortable letting AI handle the heavy lifting, from researching options to making purchases on their behalf.

For merchants, preparing for agentic commerce means thinking differently about how they’re discovered, trusted and paid. AI agents will prioritise retailers that provide clear product data, transparent pricing and reliable delivery information. If that information isn’t structured and accessible, merchants risk being invisible in an agent-led journey.

It also raises the bar for payments and trust. The brands that win won’t just offer discounts – they’ll offer reliable, secure and machine-readable commerce that both consumers and AI agents can confidently transact with.”

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