More than 70 per cent of retail searches related to Valentines Day will be made on mobile, as British consumers prepare to celebrate the romantic holiday while on the go.

According to figures from Bing Ads, last year 69 per cent of all retail Valentines Day searches in the UK were made from mobile devices, along with 43 per cent of all clicks. The continued growth of mobile search means that the figure will doubtless be even higher this year.

The average Brit begins preparations in early February, with retail searches spiking on 7 February, a week ahead of the day, and continuing to climb higher until reaching almost double their usual volumes on 13 February, when searches on mobile devices will see a huge peak between 11am and 2pm. Desktop searches see a last minute flurry between 7 and 10pm, as users finalise their plans or buy last minute gifts.

“Our insights into Valentines Day behaviour online highlights how brands can leverage the power of search data to capitalise on key dates, such as Valentines Day,” said Minal Fofaria, head of EMEA insights at Bing Ads. “Marketers should be listening and reacting to these specific peaks in search activity to make sure they reach the right audiences, at the right time, on the right device.

“By knowing how and when people are searching, we can empower marketers to create more meaningful connections that deliver value for both consumers and brands alike.”