India, Feb. 14 -- W hen it comes to Valentine's Day, gift stores have always been steeped in nostalgia and emotion. However, what was once marked by a simple card and a rose has transformed into a season of flowers, plush toys, and chocolates. While footfall during Valentine's Week continues to surge, the way people express love is steadily evolving. At an Archies franchise in Mumbai, shop attendant Nitin Savla attributes the shift to technology: "The only reason behind this is mobile phones. Due to advances in the digital world, greeting card sales are low. Some customers refer to online photos for gifting ideas." The change is visible on store shelves. Rows once brimming with greeting cards have given way to fewer designs, as instant messages and DMs replace handwritten notes. Yet, unlike digital texts that can be easily forgotten, a greeting card carries effort and permanence, something to be tucked away in a drawer and rediscovered years later. At Pancham Cards and Gift Shop, an entire section is still devoted to greeting cards, though demand has dipped. Owner Hiren Shah observes, "The number of customers buying greeting cards is less, usually among younger age groups, who prefer to just send a message. But the older generation still prefers greeting cards during special occasions like Valentine's Day, as it gives them a reason to meet and celebrate." He adds, "People above the age of 40 come and buy greeting cards at our store." For some, however, tradition still holds meaning. Dona Dhingra, a regular buyer of greeting cards, says, "Nothing matches the charm of handwritten notes and cards, that's exactly what I plan to gift my husband this Valentine's day."...