ProFlowers traffic up 156%, FTD up 106% before Valentine's Day

Nielsen//NetRatings reported that love is in the air as gift and flowers destinations drew 2.5 mln at-home visitors marking a 40% jump during the week ending February 6 as Valentine's Day approaches. Two other popular Website categories during Valentine's Day, greeting cards and personals destinations look to gain momentum closer to February 14, as stragglers send last minute e-cards and scout for dates.

Proflowers.com skyrocketed 156% as 387,000 Web surfers visited the site in search of the perfect bouquet. On par with the pre-Valentine's Day category growth, FTD.com spiked 106% with 336,000 visitors compared to 1800flowers.com which surged 91% with 947,000 visitors during the same time period.

Taking an early look at greeting cards, Americangreetings.com attracted 869,000 Web surfers for a 30% jump. Blue Mountain climbed 32% to capture the week's fastest growing greeting cards site, drew 380,000 visitors to search and send e-cards. 123greetings.com rounded out the top three fastest growing greeting cards destinations this week with 298,000 visitors or a 10% increase.

Growing 59% prior to Valentine's Day, MSN Dating & Personals seduced 531,000 visitors and became the fastest growing among personals sites for the week ending February 6. Eharmony.com followed with a 26% increase attracting 354,000 unique visitors. Yahoo! Personals enticed 1.3 mln visitors reporting a 6% week-over-week growth.