Green Bay Shoppers Face Higher Prices for Valentine's Gifts

Jewelry and chocolate costs have spiked ahead of the holiday

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Last-minute Valentine's Day shoppers in Green Bay, Wisconsin are facing higher prices for traditional gifts like jewelry and chocolate. Prices for gold, silver, and cocoa have all risen significantly over the past year, leading to increased costs for retailers and consumers.

Why it matters

The price hikes on popular Valentine's Day items could impact consumer spending and demand for these gifts, potentially affecting local businesses that rely on the holiday sales. The underlying factors driving the price increases, such as economic uncertainty, supply chain issues, and environmental factors, also highlight broader economic trends affecting the region.

The details

Jewelry prices have risen sharply, with gold up 71% and silver up nearly 300% from last year. Retailers like Bay Area Diamond Company are trying to offer more affordable options like lab-grown diamonds and daintier jewelry pieces. Meanwhile, cocoa prices have soared over $1,000 per unit for local candy maker Beerntsen's Candies, leading them to pass along some of the increased costs to customers. Market intelligence shows chocolate prices overall have spiked nearly 15% from 2025.

  • Gold and silver prices have risen dramatically over the past year.
  • Cocoa prices have surged in the past two years for Beerntsen's Candies.

The players

Bay Area Diamond Company

A local jewelry retailer in Green Bay that is seeing significant price increases for gold and silver items.

Beerntsen's Candies

A longtime Green Bay candy maker that has faced a over $1,000 increase in the cost of cocoa, leading them to raise prices for customers.

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What they’re saying

“They're higher than they were, but you know, so is everything. You know, so I think it's probably a new, a relatively new normal.”

— Ryan Long, Sales Director, Bay Area Diamond Company (fox11online.com)

“We've been paying probably $1,000 more for what we used to pay $2,500. It's gone up considerably.”

— Mark Beerntsen, Owner, Beerntsen's Candies (fox11online.com)

What’s next

Retailers in Green Bay will be closely monitoring consumer demand and spending in the lead-up to Valentine's Day to see how the higher prices impact sales.

The takeaway

The price hikes on traditional Valentine's Day gifts like jewelry and chocolate highlight the broader economic pressures facing consumers and businesses in Green Bay. Retailers are trying to adapt by offering more affordable options, but the underlying factors driving up costs, from supply chain issues to environmental factors, remain a challenge.