Iran retailers bank on Cupid for sales

Tehran: Iranian retailers and restaurateurs were hoping yesterday that young people out buying gifts and making dinner plans for Valentine's would bring some temporary respite in the face of harsh economic sanctions.

Many Tehran restaurants reported being fully booked last night while young Iranians could be seen out browsing gift shops in the capital to buy presents for loved ones, in defiance of a ban on Valentine's Day items aimed at preventing the spread of "Western culture".

Iranian authorities banned the sale of Valentine cards and other heart-shaped products last year and police have warned that action will be taken against those who violate the ban.

Gift shops

Despite the sanctions and the state ban, many gift shops in Tehran are decorated with red ribbons, lights and candles to attract young customers, who mainly buy three red roses — one for each word in the English phrase "I love you".

"I am certain, like previous years, we will run out of roses as lots of people have already ordered flowers for their loved ones," the florist said.

Valentine's Day has become a moneymaker for businesses hard-hit by sanctions. Iran's economy is around 60 per cent reliant on oil and the country is heavily dependent on food imports, buying 45 per cent of its rice and most of its animal feed abroad.

Indeed, many restaurants in affluent northern Tehran — who want to attract more customers —have arranged dinners catered for lovers, and are offering a change of menu, live music and even fireworks, according to a waitress in an Asian restaurant.