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Aimee Shapiro: San Mateo County's new arts and culture director

Pamela Cruz

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2024.02.20

Aimee Shapiro: San Mateo County's new arts and culture director

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San Mateo County announced Aimee Shapiro as the new executive director of the San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture.

Shapiro, raised amid New York City’s wealth of museums and cultural events, comes to the county from the Anderson Collection, Stanford University’s free museum of modern and contemporary American art, where she served as director of programming and engagement, working with artists, performers, students and the local community.

She now brings her energy and enthusiasm for the creative arts to the county, where she will play a central role in shaping the San Mateo County Arts Commission's strategic plan.

“San Mateo County is home to a diverse range of communities, backgrounds and cultures with amazing events, exhibits, workshops, performances and cultural programming,” Shapiro said. “Arts and culture should be accessible to everyone in San Mateo County, and by creating a strong arts network in our area, we can create even stronger connections with each other.”

While the county sponsors several exhibition spaces, there is no main museum or cultural exhibit hall in San Mateo County. Shapiro’s mission is to foster and advocate for local arts and cultural groups while addressing equity gaps in education and access to the arts.

According to the city, Shapiro will support the work of the 10-member Arts Commission, which serves as an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors and provides funding to local arts organizations and special events with an emphasis on underserved communities.

“What is clear is that Aimee has a true passion for uplifting all communities by championing arts and cultural displays,” said County Executive Mike Callagy. “She has a wealth of experience working with schools, nonprofits, local governments and, most of all, artists. We look forward to her bringing her talents to San Mateo County.”

Shapiro grew up in New York City and developed a passion for art and a personal interest in drawing. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College in Ohio and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore.

She worked in the arts in Baltimore, New York, San Francisco, and East Lansing, Michigan, before joining Stanford's Anderson Collection in 2014.

At Anderson, he helped bring the work of a diverse range of artists to the public.

One of the main priorities of her new job will be to help forge relationships between artistic and cultural groups.

“My first goal is to listen,” Shapiro said. “I look forward to meeting with constituents across the county and learning what arts and culture means to their community and how they would like the Office of Arts and Culture to support that. The diversity of our county means there is a great diversity in need, awareness and accessibility.”

You may be interested in: Thirteen years of cultural transformation: Interview with Mauricio Galeano, Director of the District Institute of the Arts of Bogotá

East Palo Alto honors Black History Month

Pamela Cruz

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2024.02.17

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The Municipal Council of the city of East Palo Alto presentará una proclamación que conmemora febrero de 2024 como el Mes de la Historia Afroamericana en su próxima reunión del Concejo, con la cual busca rendir tributo a la rica herencia, resiliencia y las contribuciones de los afroamericanos a la historia del país.

Las raíces de esta celebración se remontan al doctor Carter G. Woodson, un pionero que superó obstáculos increíbles para convertirse en la fuerza impulsora detrás del reconocimiento del Mes de la Historia Afroamericana.

Ante ello, la ciudad alentó a todos sus residentes a reflexionar sobre las fechas importantes de la Historia Afroamericana durante febrero, como la aprobación de la 15.ª Enmienda, la fundación de la NAACP y momentos históricos en el movimiento de derechos civiles.

“Dediquémonos colectivamente a fomentar una comunidad donde los derechos y las contribuciones de los afroamericanos, las personas de color, los pueblos indígenas y otros grupos sean recordados, respetados y reconocidos”, subrayó la ciudad en un comunicado.

Además, en reconocimiento a este mes histórico, East Palo Alto se une a otras ciudades de todo el país para celebrar con diversos eventos el Mes de la Historia Afroamericana, reconocer el pasado y trabajar por un futuro de igualdad y justicia

En honor al mes de la Historia Afroamericana y Negra, Sign Gypsies organiza viajes para la comunidad de adultos mayores (60+) al Museo Domini Hoskins en Redwood City y al Museo de la Diáspora Africana de San Francisco (MoAD). Se proporcionará transporte. Para inscribirse es necesario enviar un correo a parishill@gmail.com or call 650 933 3388.

Dónde: Museo pop-up Domini Hoskins

Cuándo: Jueves, 22 de febrero de 12:00 a16:00 horas.

Cómo: Se proporciona transporte desde East Palo Alto Senior Center (560 Bell Street East Palo Alto, CA 94303)

En este evento se podrá ver la cápsula del tiempo de la Historia Negra a través de la lente de los artefactos y los medios de comunicación recogidos y comisariada por el colectivo Hoskins.

Además, el jueves, 29 de febrero, de 10:00 a 16:00 horas, los adultos mayores podrán viajar al distrito de la Misión de San Francisco y celebrar la cultura negra para iniciar conversaciones estimulantes e inspirar el aprendizaje a través de una perspectiva global de la diáspora africana.

Dónde: Museo de la Diáspora Africana de San Francisco (MoAD)

Cómo: Se proporciona transporte desde Ravenswood Plaza frente al PGA

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San Mateo County faces revenue loss amid increased needs

Pamela Cruz

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2024.02.17

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For months, the leaders of the the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors have expressed concern about the potential loss of a key source of revenue, saying the situation could threaten vital safety net services, so with no resolution in sight midway through the 2023-24 fiscal year, County Executive Mike Callagy recommended the Board of Supervisors hold a special study session on a looming issue that could also impact future spending plans.

“We are short $69 million,” Callagy said during the Board of Supervisors’ regular meeting scheduled for next Tuesday. “This is something we are working on with our (state) legislators. That would be a huge blow to this county, and it only grows every year.”

The potential shortfall is fueled by possible cuts in what are known as vehicle licensing fees in lieu, or VLF, a form of property tax on motor vehicle ownership.

Under a long-standing agreement, cities and counties receive additional property taxes from the state to replace revenue that was cut under a two-decade-old budget deal.

The latest state budget proposal released by the governor's office in January does not include full funding for VLF. This could also pose a threat to the budgets of local cities that also receive that type of revenue.

“This will impact public safety and the direct services that cities and the county provide to our most needy population if it’s not funded by the state,” Callagy said. “And we certainly believe that the state owes us that.”

San Mateo County local governments could face a loss of more than $114 million before the fiscal year ends on June 30, 2024.

Supervisors expressed concern for the area's most vulnerable residents.

“Our continued focus must be on expanding opportunities for all, and that starts with ensuring we have a robust array of programs and services to meet the needs of individuals and families,” said Warren Slocum, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

“Our residents want to make ends meet, put food on the table, pay for college, save for retirement. It’s our job as elected officials,” Slocum added, “to work with our partners across the state to ensure we can continue to fund vital services that help all of our residents achieve their goals.”

A special study session is expected to be scheduled shortly.

News of the projected VLF deficit comes amid a number of growing financial concerns.

At the February 14 Board meeting, Callagy and Chief Financial Officer Robert Manchia presented the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Mid-Year Budget Update, a snapshot of the economic and demographic trends driving both the need for services and the revenue available to pay for them.

With the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the county has shifted “its focus from pandemic response and recovery to long-term strategic planning,” the report said.

The document also describes “contrasting trajectories” for key economic indicators. It says unemployment overall remains low, while the cost of goods and services is rising for everyone, and median household income is moving in different directions for certain demographic groups.

However, median household income has declined for Black or African American households (10.2 percent from 2021 to 2022). There are significant disparities between the median household incomes of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and certain other demographic groups (41.8 percent of Asian household incomes, for example).

Of note, the rising cost of living (3.4 percent increase in consumer prices from December 2022 to December 2023) and obstacles to finding affordable housing pose challenges for many.

A search for a one-bedroom apartment shows current rents of more than $2,800 in both Redwood City and San Mateo. So an income of about $100,000 a year is needed to afford such an apartment, according to a commonly used “30 percent rule,” which says people should spend no more than 30 percent of their gross income on rent.

The report states that “demographic trends indicate an aging population on relatively fixed incomes struggling to keep pace with rising costs. If this trend continues, there may be increased demand for County services to address these evolving needs.”

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San Francisco Police Ask for Help Locating Missing 16-Year-Old Teen

Peninsula 360 Press

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2024.02.17

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San Francisco Police Ask for Help Locating Missing 16-Year-Old Teen

By Bay City News.

El Departamento de Policía de San Francisco está pidiendo la ayuda del público para localizar a una joven de 16 años.

Mizan Dadres-Oman fue vista por última vez por una persona de la Biblioteca de Chinatown, alrededor de las 20:00 horas del jueves, dijo la policía de San Francisco este viernes por la noche.

Dadres-Oman es afrodescendiente, mide 5 pies y 3 pulgadas de alto, pesa 170 libras, tiene cabello negro y ojos marrones, dijo la policía en una descripción actualizada publicada en las redes sociales.

Un comunicado de prensa anterior la describió como de 5 pies y 6 pulgadas de alto, pesando 130 libras y vista por última vez alrededor de las 16:30 horas del miércoles en el vecindario Miraloma Park, en el área de Foerster Street y Teresita Boulevard.

Se le considera “en riesgo” porque tiene un trastorno del procesamiento auditivo central y tiene la lógica y el razonamiento de una niña de 10 a 12 años, dijo la policía.

Fue descrita con una sudadera con capucha negra, una camisa color salmón y pantalones deportivos granate.

Se emitió una alerta de ébano en los condados de San Francisco, Alameda y Contra Costa.

Cualquier persona que vea Dadres-Omán debe llamar al 911.

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The woman murdered during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration has Mexican roots

Pamela Cruz

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2024.02.15

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Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena expressed her deepest condolences to the family and friends of Elizabeth “Lisa” López-Galván, the woman of Mexican descent who lost her life in the shooting during the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade.

The head of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed and detailed that, so far, “there are 21 people injured […] They have not given us the names of those who are in the hospital, but we are very attentive at the Mexican consulate in Kansas, to care for the family and support them in everything they require.”

López Galván was a beloved radio host and the daughter of a Mexican-born mariachi. In addition to her death, one of her sons and her nephews were wounded by bullets.

The celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs' victory after lifting the NFL's Vince Lombardi award was a must for López Galván, who was a fan of the team, so she went to Union Station with the idea of having fun, however, she was murdered in what the police classified as a fight.

Kansas City police confirmed the shooting was a dispute between several people, including two juveniles. They did not release names although the suspects are in custody.

“Preliminary results of the investigation have shown that there was no connection to terrorism or domestic violent extremism. This appeared to be a dispute between several individuals that resulted in gunfire,” Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a press conference.

Likewise, he confirmed that during the night of this Wednesday it was learned that there were 23 victims of the shooting, one of them, Elizabeth López Galván, 43 years old, “we are still learning about her, but we know that she is very loved by many. To her friends and family: we are with you,” he stressed.

In light of the events, he said that work is being done "tirelessly" to clarify the murder.

Graves said the 22 victims ranged in age from 8 to 47. He said at least half of the victims were under 16 years old.

“As we mentioned yesterday, we have detained individuals, two of whom are minors. We are working to determine the involvement of others. And it should be noted that we have recovered several firearms,” he added.

President Joseph Biden seized the opportunity after the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs parade to again call for a ban on “assault weapons.”

“Today’s events should shock, awe and embarrass us into action,” Biden said.

“Make your voice heard in Congress so we can finally act to ban assault weapons, limit high-capacity magazines, strengthen background checks, and keep guns out of the hands of those who have no business owning or handling them,” he added.

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'You don't look Chinese': How bullying shaped a student's identity

Peninsula 360 Press

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2024.02.15

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'You don't look Chinese': How bullying shaped a student's identity

By Jeannine Chiang. Ethnic Media Services.

“You’re Korean, right? I mean, you don’t look very Chinese. That’s a compliment, by the way,” my classmate said with a chuckle, nudging her friend. I had recently transferred to a new, mostly white high school.

I soon realized that this was not going to be an easy transition.

I remember the intense sidelong glances as the children around me turned their heads and looked down at the jade pendant my grandmother gave me for good luck.

This was shortly after schools reopened following the pandemic shutdown, and terms like “kung flu” were still floating around school hallways. It seemed to me that even here in the Bay Area, where Asians make up a large percentage of the population, being Chinese — or even just looking Chinese — was like having a target on your back.

Growing up in Millbrae, a small, Asian-majority suburb just south of San Francisco, I never felt out of place. There were a few occasions when a classmate would insist that “this is America” and that I should speak English, but those experiences were few and far between.

It was when my family moved to the South and I enrolled in a new, predominantly white high school that I began to understand for the first time that, in order to fit in among my new peers, I would have to “Americanize” my identity.

The challenges began in the cafeteria. I would hear my classmates comment on my lunch box, which often contained homemade dumplings and stir-fried noodles. The ritual of each day’s lunch was a reminder that I was different, like an outsider wearing a distinctive cultural badge.

I felt self-conscious and eventually asked my mom to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The sugary, fruity snack eventually became my new normal.

Constantly negotiating my identity was a manifestation of my struggle to fit in and be accepted. I realized I was trying to cover up the parts of my culture that might seem “too different.” My native language became a clandestine code that I whispered quietly to avoid further alienation.

I hid my ancestry for fear that its vivid hues would contrast with the dull tone of my surroundings. And I wasn't alone. A study last year found that 1 in 5 Asians tries to hide parts of his identity to adapt to it.

For me, that struggle became a mental war that I fought silently, grappling – like most teenagers – with the desire to fit in while also trying to hold on to my cultural roots.

My mother was born in Hangzhou, China, and immigrated to California to attend college. And even though my brother and I were born in San Francisco, we spoke primarily Mandarin at home. As I grew older, I began to understand what my mother gave up by coming to America: her friends, her family, her culture. And now, here I was, trying to hide that culture from the other students around me at school.

I felt ashamed. But I still tried to fit in. I felt like a chameleon, always changing to fit the expectations of everyone around me, whether at home or at school.

I'm in high school now and when I talk to my international friends from China here, they share similar stories, about how other students address them because of their backgrounds or their accent, something they can't understand, or just hide in a lunch box. Instead of celebrating the richness of culture and experience they bring to the student body, they focus on those very traits.

Bullying is on the rise in the U.S.: 20 percent of students in kindergarten through 12th grade say they have been bullied at least once. Identity is often a contributing factor, with students singled out for nationality, ethnicity or gender.

In a diverse community like the Bay Area, it is crucial for schools to promote understanding and appreciation of different cultures, fostering an environment where everyone feels accepted and valued regardless of their accent or cultural background.

My experience reminds me that there is still work to be done in the fight against racism. It takes a group effort to eliminate prejudices, confront preconceived ideas and create an atmosphere where each person can flourish in their true selves.

But it also taught me to see my differences as a unique strength and not a weakness. By challenging dominant narratives, I found allies who supported me and ended the taboo surrounding the experiences of people who feel excluded.

By working together, we have created a school community that embraces diversity and fosters a more welcoming atmosphere for all. Rather than being a victim of prejudice, I am an example of the strength that comes from embracing one's individuality.

Jeannine Chiang is a high school student. She wrote this story for a special series examining the intersection of bullying and race in California led by EMS in partnership with California Ethnic Media, part of EMS's Stop the Hate initiative, made possible by funding from the California State Library in partnership with the California State Library Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. The views expressed on this website and other materials produced by EMS do not necessarily reflect the official policies of CSL, CAPIAA, or the California government.

This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the Cali Fornia State Library.

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YUCA in East Palo Alto, joins the demands to end the genocide in Gaza

sandra martinez

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2024.02.14

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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzVr7qY0qPo[/embedyt]

Listen to this note:

The dead in Gaza have The number of protesters has surpassed 28,000, and hundreds of organizations have declared their opposition to the support that the United States is giving to Israel to continue the war and deaths in Gaza. Therefore, the YUCA organization in East Palo Alto has joined the demands that call for an absolution and a ceasefire in Gaza.

In this regard, Manuel Ortiz conducted an interview with Ofelia Bello, who belongs to the organization YUCA (Youth United for Community Action), on the mobile unit of Península 360 Press, broadcast during the program Península 360 Radio in collaboration with Marcos Gutiérrez of «Hecho en California».

Ofelia Bello of YUCA (Youth United for Community Action), an organization that has joined in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, where more than 28,000 people have died, spoke about the importance of joining the movement and demanding that the United States stop financially supporting the war in Gaza.

YUCA in East Palo Alto, joins the demands to end the fire in Gaza — Ofelia Bello, director of YUCA in East Palo Alto (Youth United for Community Action), an organization that has joined in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, demands that the United States stop financially supporting the war in Gaza.

It all started with a small group of young people of color who were active in their communities and concerned about the problems in their environment. They formed YUCA. They then launched FIRE Fellowship, a program for young people of color that includes paid internships in community organizations working for environmental and social change in the Bay Area.

YUCA works for leadership development, community organizing and coalition building, This August marks the 30th anniversary of the organization, where thousands of young people have made a difference in the world and are currently working on housing justice in East Palo Alto, as well as environmental justice.

“We cannot escape what is happening in Gaza, because there is a Palestinian community in Redwood City, and we have learned that in Silicon Valley it is important because of the technology that is being used in Palestine, but also on the border with Mexico, for example, with the companies that generate technology to monitor“, he commented Ofelia Bello.

She says that the situation in Gaza directly affects communities, from the images circulating on social media showing how children, women and men, doctors and members of the press are suffering and being attacked and abused.

“That is an impact on people's mental health, especially young people, and that is something that is constantly being seen.“, he added Ofelia Bello.

On the night of Monday, February 12, there was a demonstration at the University of Stanford, Ofelia had the opportunity to be present, “they were there because, supposedly, the president of the university was going to meet with his administration to decide what they were going to do about support in Gaza.”

The aim is to involve the community in the issue, since it affects everyone directly or indirectly, so having the understanding of young people is essential, showing them that their voice has great value and that they are part of the country's delicate decisions.

For Ofelia Bello, Stanford students have been raising their voices very loudly and demanding that the authorities pay attention to what is happening, questioning the connections, but also asking this university to withdraw its investments from the way it is supporting Israel.

"For us, the struggles we have here for housing justice, environmental justice, are connected to Gaza, if we see that our country continues to invest in wars, that is something totally opposite," Bello stressed.

Finally, he explained that there are many people who do not want to speak or express their voice, because they are afraid of receiving words or acts of aggression, that is why many hesitate to speak or really show themselves against the genocide in Gaza, but it must be reported that it is not a single voice, because organizations and media, as well as the population in general, are against the war and demand an end to these regrettable acts.

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Ask candidates for District 16, they organize a forum in Half Moon Bay

Pamela Cruz

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2024.02.14

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Ask candidates for District 16, they organize a forum in Half Moon Bay

We are in the middle of the election season and, at the local, state and federal level, it is important to know and understand who the candidates for a seat or position are, since they will represent us. In light of this, organizations have coordinated a forum so that residents of District 16 can hear proposals and ask questions to those who will be their voice in government.

The appointment is this coming Tuesday, February 20, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in person at Half Moon Bay.

The organizers of this upcoming Candidate Forum are Thrive Alliance, Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS), Coastside Hope, Pacifica Resource Center, Puente de la Costa Sur (Puente), Senior Coastsiders, and South Coast Sustainable.

This collaborative effort brings together a coalition of community organizations dedicated to fostering positive change. Together, they will introduce Congressional District 16 candidates to the vibrant and diverse communities along the coast.

These Candidate Forums serve as a vital platform to elevate and address the most pressing issues facing nonprofit organizations and their communities in San Mateo County.

The attending candidates are:

Peter Dixon, Co-Founder, With Honor
Rishi Kumar, Chief Revenue Officer, nFolks Data Solutions
Sam Liccardo, former mayor of the city of San Jose
Julie Lythcott-Haims, Palo Alto City Councilwoman
Joe Simitian, Santa Clara County Supervisor

District 16 includes the cities of Atherton, La Honda, Ladera, Loma Mar, Menlo Park, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Portola Valley, and Woodside in San Mateo County.

Additionally, in Santa Clara County it concerns the cities of Campbell, Cambrian Park, Fruitdale, Lexington Hills, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Parts of San Jose, including unincorporated communities, Saratoga, and Stanford.

To attend this forum it is registration required.

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FTC reports more than $10 billion in losses from scams during 2023

sandra martinez

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2024.02.14

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FTC reports more than $10 billion in losses from scams during 2023

In 2023, consumers lost more money to investment scams, reaching $4.6 billion, which was a 21 percent increase from 2022.

Scams in 2023 had a larger economic impact than the previous year, with consumers reporting losing more than $10 billion, a record figure that represented a 14 percent increase over 2022 reports.

The data recently published by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) indicate that in 2023, consumers lost more money to investment scams reaching $4.6 billion, which represented an increase of 21 percent compared to 2022.

This was stated by experts during a briefing held by Ethnic Media Services, who stated that The imposter scam was the second most evident in 2023, with the second highest amount in losses, at almost 2.7 billion dollars, with bank transfers and the use of cryptocurrencies being the most used payment methods.

Maria Mayo, acting associate director of the Division of Consumer Response and Operations at the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said that reports of losses have increased this year, and she thought that the more information was provided and work was done on prevention this year, the more losses could decrease, something that did not happen.

“The most surprising thing was the amount that was lost, because I thought that last year it was very high, 9 million, but this year it rose to 10 million, it surprises me even though the number of complaints did not change that much during 2023.“, commented Maria Mayo.

The most relevant categories during 2023 were the following:

Impostors

It refers to a person who pretends to be another person from a company or institution, it is also related to false romantic partners, sometimes they use family members or friends to create complicated situations where they ask for financial help.

Online shopping

The most common scams related to online shopping are through fake websites with purchases of fictitious products, or on sites where they can access private information, as they carry out identity theft and clone cards or steal banking information.

Prizes and raffles

These types of scams make you believe that you have won some wonderful prize or some incredible promotion, but before you can collect it you must pay taxes or share your bank details. They generally put pressure on the supposed winner by making them believe that it is for a limited time and they must do what is asked immediately.

Investments

In these cases, the most common thing is that a person invites you to invest in cryptocurrencies or digital investments, in such a way that when you deposit your money it seems real, but they warn you of the risk of loss, where at some point the money disappears, the promise is to earn a lot with little and in a short period of time.

Business and job opportunities

In this case, you are asked to join a company with a small investment that could be recovered and earn much more by generating sales. Generally, the promise is to generate a lot with a minimum amount of investment. A strict schedule is not required, so it is a good offer for some people who need a free schedule. In the end, you do not generate any money, but you do invest.

Social Networking

Contact through social networks has increased, and since it is something that is used daily, people have become very vulnerable. It must also be considered that people who use social networks are of different ages, allowing for a broader reach within the community. In some cases, scams are directed at very specific sectors of the population, such as Latinos, Chinese, African-Americans, etc.

The most commonly used payment method in this type of scam is bank transfer, recording a loss of 1.9 billion dollars. On the other hand, cryptocurrencies have also been used, leaving a loss of 1.4 billion dollars during 2023.

Report and prevent fraud

It is important to fight fraud, you can educate to prevent and warn, thus reducing the number of money losses; now, regardless of the language, there are options to make reports in different languages, in this way more complete reports are generated to prevent the community.

To help people identify fraud, information is provided in 12 different languages, and to report it, you must enter the site https://reportefraude.ftc.gov/#/

There are also simple resources available to help you find out what to do if you have paid a scammer, tips on protecting small businesses, and useful information for refugees and migrants.

Experts stressed that the FTC continues to work and seek more options to protect consumers from the different scams that are currently being generated. Prevention and information are key to achieving a 2024 with fewer economic losses due to scams.

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Cupid returns this Valentine's Day, more than half of consumers plan to celebrate the day

Pamela Cruz

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2024.02.13

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Cupid returns this Valentine's Day 2024, more than half of consumers plan to celebrate the day — Según la encuesta anual de la Federación Nacional de Venta al por Menor y Prosper Insights & Analytics, en general, los consumidores planean gastar 25 mil 800 millones de dólares en el Día de San Valentín 2024.

“Love is in the air, everywhere I look around…”, este Día de San Valentín huele a amor, amistad y muchas compras, muchos se preparan para mostrarles a sus seres queridos cuánto les importan, y de acuerdo con encuestas, más de la mitad de los consumidores (53 por ciento) planean celebrar el día y gastar varios dólares en la celebración.

Según la encuesta anual de la Federación Nacional de Venta al por Menor (NRF, por sus siglas en inglés) y Prosper Insights & Analytics, en general, los consumidores planean gastar 25 mil 800 millones de dólares en el Día de San Valentín de este 2024 a la par del gasto del año pasado y el tercero más alto en la historia de la encuesta, con un promedio de 185.81 dólares por persona.

Como parte de esto, esperan gastar cantidades récord en otras personas importantes y alcanzar nuevos máximos en las categorías de regalos románticos.

Y es que, después de que los consumidores derrocharon el año pasado para celebrar otras relaciones en sus vidas como amigos, compañeros de trabajo y/o de clase, maestros y mascotas, el gasto en estos grupos está volviendo a niveles normales a medida que los consumidores buscan formas de celebrar las relaciones románticas en sus vidas este año.

Los datos de NRF muestran que los consumidores planean gastar un nuevo máximo de 14 mil 200 millones de dólares en sus parejas o cónyuges este año, o un récord de 101.84 dólares por persona.

Si bien los consumidores en general dan prioridad a los obsequios para parejas y cónyuges este año, no descuidan otras relaciones especiales en sus vidas. Por ejemplo, aunque los consumidores de entre 35 y 44 años son los que más gastan en sus parejas románticas, también son el grupo de edad que planea derrochar más en regalos para mascotas.

El sesenta y dos por ciento de los consumidores entre 25 y 34 años planean celebrar este año, más que cualquier otro grupo de edad.

Encontrar el regalo perfecto para decir “te amo”

No importa para quién esté comprando, ya sea que esté siguiendo la tendencia y derrochando en su pareja, mostrando amor a sus amigos, mascotas y compañeros de trabajo, o celebrando el “Día de Galentine” (Día de San Valentín, ¡pero para las chicas! porque “Gal” significa “chica” y “Day” quiere decir “Día”) con sus amigos, hay algo para todos.

Si bien los dulces y las tarjetas de felicitación siguen siendo los obsequios de San Valentín más populares, los consumidores también están estableciendo récords en gastos en joyería, flores, ropa y salidas nocturnas este año mientras celebran las relaciones románticas de sus vidas.

Algunos consumidores también están pensando de forma innovadora cuando se trata de regalos este año. Los datos sobre las ventas de los comerciantes de Shopify en enero muestran que los compradores se están centrando en artículos más exclusivos.

“Los regalos clásicos como velas, joyas, pijamas y perfumes son ciertamente populares”, señaló el presidente de Shopify, Harley Finkelstein. “Pero también estamos viendo que los compradores optan por obsequios no tradicionales centrados en experiencias, como recrear su cóctel favorito en casa con un nuevo juego de bar, planificar una próxima aventura con accesorios de viaje o realzar la noche de juegos en pareja con una mesa de tejo. “

Incluso si se encuentra entre amigos y parejas románticas, los minoristas también tienen un regalo para eso. Este año, el comerciante de Shopify Sweethearts lanzó los dulces “Sweethearts Situationships” como el regalo perfecto para esa persona especial (aunque emocionalmente no disponible).

“Los minoristas están listos para ayudar a los clientes este Día de San Valentín con obsequios significativos y memorables”, dijo el presidente y director ejecutivo de NRF, Matthew Shay. “Dado que los consumidores dan prioridad a su cónyuge o pareja este año, los minoristas esperan ver un cambio en el gasto en ciertas categorías de regalos”.

Los principales obsequios incluyen dulces (57 por ciento), tarjetas de felicitación (40 por ciento), flores (39 por ciento), una velada (32 por ciento), joyas (22 por ciento), ropa (21 por ciento) y tarjetas de regalo (19 por ciento). Se esperan nuevos récords de gasto en joyería (6 mil 400 millones de dólares), flores (2 mil 600 millones de dólares), ropa (3 mil millones de dólares) y salidas nocturnas (4 mil 900 millones de dólares).

Show love in non-traditional ways

Incluso aquellos que no celebran la festividad encuentran maneras de hacer que el día sea especial. Según la encuesta de NRF, alrededor de un tercio de quienes no planean celebrar el Día de San Valentín todavía encuentran formas de conmemorar la ocasión.

Y tú ¿Cómo planeas celebrar?

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