by Dan Maher

Galway businesses reported positively in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, despite rising inflation figures.

This follows a recent study by the CSO that has detailed the increasing costs of products, including chocolates, flowers and dining-out.

The research – that focuses on the period from December 2024 to December 2025 – reveals that the cost of dining went up by 2.8%, flowers increased by 2.5% and a box of chocolates rose by 10.1%.

Rising Inflation

Anthony Dawson, statistician for the CSO, has been following inflation trends since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Those prices went up a fair bit in 2023/2024, it had settled down for a while and then food inflation really picked up again towards the end of 2025.

“Before that, inflation was fairly stable, around 1% in 2018, 2019 and actually decreasing coming into 2020.

Mr Dawson also cited the reasons for this increase.

“We’ve seen massive inflation rises coming out of COVID. A lot of it is down to pressure that is on distributors, and the Ukraine war as well.”

Dining on Valentines

Increasing food and dining costs haven’t fazed the chairman of Galway’s Westend Traders Association, David Fitzpatrick.

Mr Fitzpatrick reflected on the last while for westend traders.

“Our main goal is to achieve more footfall for the westend. Other areas in town would be envious of the advantage we hold, there’s always something going on in the westend, even in terms of arts and cultural events.”

Ireland’s best burger

Mr Fitzpatrick is also the owner of burger restaurant, BóTown, and has seen a recent increase in customers.

“January and February are quiet months, but we’ve seen a bit of a spike recently though. We were recently nominated for [and won] the Ireland’s best burger award, so that might be a reason for the spike.”

Increasing restaurant prices

Mr Fitzpatrick acknowledged changes in customer habits when it comes to dining-out.

“We were completely sold out for Valentine’s Day, but we are noticing that more people are getting takeaways off us than before. There’s a shift in dining culture, more in favour of costing less but still having a dining experience.”

He also commented on the impact of the latest price increases.

“You have to balance trying to stay competitive with increasing prices. We have the best of produce so we can always justify rising prices, but an award nomination is extra justification for it.

“We’d rather sell a high volume [of our product] at a lower price and get bums on seats, rather than taking a lot off a few people.”

Expensive flowers

CSO figures also revealed increases over five years, with the cost of flowers rising by 12% in that time.

Niamh Crowe, owner of Keane’s Florist in Terryland, was quick to dismiss the statistic in relation to her own prices.

“Our prices are fine the way they are and I wouldn’t say that there’s a 12% increase on our part or that we’ve felt the need to do that.

“I haven’t seen a massive difference, we want to try to stay as competitive as possible, and I don’t want us to be outpricing ourselves, to be straight up with you, I don’t think that’s good business practice.”

“There’s certain things from COVID that have put a lot of pressure on us, so we’re just breathing again now.”

With Valentine’s Day being a busy period for a florist, Ms Crowe paid tribute to her loyal customers, and is just as thankful for the newcomers.

“We’ve a good business, but it’s around Valentine’s Day when it’s busy. We’ve a good consistent group of loyal customers, but I just noticed we’re getting a few extra this year, it’s all about developing the business.”