Some lovebirds in Hong Kong are expressing their affection this Valentine’s Day by spending hundreds of dollars on bouquets and gifts, while several vendors have recorded growth in sales of about 20 per cent.

At the bustling Flower Market in Mong Kok, many men were among the crowds picking rose bouquets, while others browsed for flowers to celebrate the coming Lunar New Year. The high number of shoppers on Tung Choi Street even prompted police to put in place crowd control measures.

Stalls were lined with bouquets of all sizes from a handful of red roses to 99, ranging from about HK$200 (US$25.60) to HK$3,000.

Edison Fung, an engineer in his 30s, spent HK$380 on a bunch of roses for his girlfriend, whom he has dated for four years.

Throughout the day, he planned to spend around HK$1,000 on flowers, lunch and gifts, a level similar to last year.

“Last year I bought a Jellycat doll, and this year I don’t want to be repetitive,” he said.