Many businesses that bank on Valentine’s Day sales reported a better weekend than 2010 but the weather played a bigger role than Bermuda’s economy.Designer Florists in the Washington Mall managed to sell out of stock, according to store manager Lise Pellegrin.“We have four shops on the Island and they all sold out of the Valentine’s stock. Business this year was very good for us if you look at last year, because last year we had a storm just before Valentine’s Day.“We had the Causeway closed for a full day and it made things crazy for us.”Bermuda florists face an extra challenge, since there is no local market supplier.“It makes it hard, importing from Holland to Boston and then to here,” Ms Pellegrin said.“We try to build a strong relationship with customers. If we can talk and learn what they want, they may spend more on something special and romantic.”She described business for the month as “not crazy, but good we have done well with birthdays this month”.Christina Riihilouma, owner of Card Cove on Queen Street, said: “I haven’t gone over our figures, but it did not seem that busy for us this weekend. I didn’t think it was as good as last year.”Robertson’s Drug Store in St George’s, which stocks greeting cards and traditional Valentine’s fare such as chocolates and candles, also reported modest sales for the weekend.Manager Valerie Lewis said consumers this year were “counting their coins”.“We didn’t see too much. In terms of numbers of people coming in and out of the shop, it wasn’t busier over last year.”East End Flower Alley in St George’s enjoyed a lively Valentine’s Day.According to manager Claire Bleeker the sales increase was also due to reasonably good Valentine’s weather.“Business was very good, very lively, and a big improvement on last year. But what really affected us in 2010 was the awful weather. Especially when you have the Causeway to think about, that has a big impact on passing trade.”Carmen Phillips, partner at Demco Florists on South Road, Devonshire, called Valentine’s Day one of the pillars of the industry along with Easter, Mother’s Day and Christmas.“Our general business has been about the same, maybe a little up from 2010. There is a new process in place for importing that’s been a little challenging.“We had at least two people come to us who’d attempted to import by themselves and had it all go horribly wrong. We sell balloons, gifts, vases and bath products as well, and we had a great weekend.”However, she said: “It’s too early to tell if the economy is improving. In terms of your everyday person who buys flowers just for their home, we have definitely seen a cutback. We may just be starting to get that back.”