MIAMI, Feb. 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Business is blooming leading up to Valentine's Day. To get flowers, steaks, sweets and gifts to businesses and consumers by Feb. 14 it takes a global logistics network helping Cupid.
UPS (NYSE: UPS) is shipping more than 110 million flowers, which equals 10 million pounds, to love birds around the United States. Many of the blossoms come from Latin American countries, primarily Colombia and Ecuador. More than 90 percent of the imported flowers will travel through Miami International Airport where UPS is the largest air cargo carrier. UPS will add 40 additional flights to and from Latin America.
According to the National Retail Federation , consumers are expected to spend an average of $142 on Valentine's gifts, of that, $41 will be used to buy flowers. U.S. consumers are projected to spend almost $19 billion on Valentine's gifts.
"Meeting our customers' needs is at the heart of what we do," said Jose Acosta, UPS Americas Region president of Latin American Operations and Public Affairs. "This year we're transporting more than 200,000 boxes of flowers in temperature-controlled aircraft." Flowers will stay fresh in a 27,000 square-foot refrigerated warehouse at the UPS air cargo facility in Miami where they are inspected and sorted for travel to their final destination.
And for many, Valentine's Day would not be complete without a romantic dinner and some elegant sweets. UPS will also move temperature-sensitive dinners from companies such as gourmet foods from Omaha Steaks , and sweet treats from small businesses like Fairytale Brownies . Earlier this year, an Omaha Steaks survey revealed nearly 90% of Americans would enjoy their Valentine surprising them with a romantic dinner at home. Share what you would cook for your Valentine's Day on our Twitter channels @UPS and @OmahaSteaks using #LoveDelivered .
Those waiting until the last minute can ship as late as Friday, Feb. 13 using UPS Next Day Air® to have gifts arrive on Valentine's Day. [ Note: You must select the Saturday option when creating the shipment. Additional fees may apply.] Click here for the UPS Valentine's Day Shipping Calendar.
About UPS
UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the web at ups.com ® and its corporate blog can be found at longitudes.ups.com . For UPS news, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS .
About Omaha Steaks
Founded in 1917, Omaha Steaks is a fifth-generation, family-owned company known nationwide for the finest in USDA-approved, grain fed beef and gourmet foods. Today, Omaha Steaks is recognized as the nation's largest direct response marketer of beef and gourmet foods available through multiple marketing channels including by phone at 1-800-228-9055, online at www.OmahaSteaks.com or at retail stores nationwide.
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Jose Cano 305-869-8191
