Couples look set to stay in on Valentine’s Day, with two-thirds (65%) planning to cook dinner at home, according to new research by Ocado.

Additionally, over half (54%) of consumers are choosing to make breakfast or brunch at home in order to avoid busy restaurants and cut down on costs.

Almost half of customers stated they are going for a dine-in deal or a ready-made meal, which reflects a growing shift towards the trend of eating in compared to going out.

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The online retailer has experienced a 23% year-on-year increase in planned deliveries for 13 and 14 February.

Dan Elton, chief customer officer at Ocado Retail, said: “Many of our customers are choosing to stay in this Valentine’s Day, opting for convenience by making the most of our extensive restaurant-at-home range.

“Our data shows that as well as the classic Valentine’s Day dinner, many are also planning a special brunch since the day falls on a weekend this year. These shifts reflect the growing appetite for flexible and convenient options that allow customers to create special moments at home.”

Popular items which are part of the baskets include British daffodils, salmon fillets, sourdough bread and fruits.

The sale of items from Ocado’s Everything Valentine’s aisle have increased by 32% compared to last year, with a strong development in cards (69%), chocolate (56%) and breakfast items (34%).

The searches for traditional Valentine’s gifts, including roses, flowers and chocolate boxes, also went up by 126%, 73% and 41%, respectively.