Valentine’s Day will bring out both the best and worst of the male species, who will try to recover for any past misdemeanours with a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates. 

The more creative types will look for lingerie or a trip to the movies as their saviour and, according to The Lingerie Shop owner Jenni Britten, this year has been busier than any other. 

“I have been pretty busy. Some years are busier than others but this year has been good,” she said. 

“Men are making a concerted effort to buy something for the one they love.”

Ms Britten said red, white and black lingerie seemed to be the most popular selling items. 

“Love is in the air and it is a special day to spoil the one you love,” she said. 

“People who haven’t ventured into the lingerie world previously are doing so this year.”

Ms Britten said men who were thinking of buying something for their special friend should be sure to check sizes before they came into the store. 

The average Valentine’s Day cost is about $86 per person, according to figures from research company IBISWorld.

Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman said the projected nationwide spend of $791.4 million

was up 1.8 per cent on last year.

“The fact that Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year increases the chances of people organising a long weekend, which is of course great news for the domestic travel sector,” he said. 

“Romantic weekends away also increase consumers’ willingness to spend in store and splash out on items they wouldn’t usually buy.”