Florist News

Ok, so i have this theory. Probably way off base and 'never gonna happen'.
I was thinking about the xmas tree cycle. If you have a year when trees are in short supply and make really good money, the growers decide it's a good game to be in so they plant up a few more acres. In five years time there's a glut of trees and the price crashes down again. The growers get a bit disheartened so plant a few less, which then pushes the price up. Ok,I can't quote actual numbers to prove this, just an observation after 25 years of selling trees. You get ups and downs which could also be attributed to the weather rather than growers planting habits. So who really knows.

Anyway, the point is...could the same thing be applied to red roses on valentines day. Let's say roses made top money last year. What is a rose grower going to do. Plant less for this year? or is he going to fill every inch of glass and a few more in his bedroom. I don't really know how the system works in Holland. Do the growers have to give an indication of the volumes they will be putting through the auction, or is it a case of 'you'll know on the day'
If you conducted a survey of all the growers and asked them whether they were growing more or less this year, what are they going to say. They're not going to say...yes, we're going to cut double the volume! That in itself would have everyone holding back waiting for the price to crash, and they know it.
I suspect it would be difficult for a lot of growers to double production without all the visible signs of expansion, but what sort of percentage increase across the country would/could have a dramatic effect on the auction price?

When did the price actually peak? was it in the last days? I think it would take a lot of bottle for a grower to hold everything back for the final day and gamble on the auction price. I don't think any bank manager would be very sympathetic it if turned against him. But then again, this business is all about taking risks, even for us little shop owners.

Yes, there is the factor of new demand in eastern Europe and yes there is some big money in those countries but i suspect that the 'big money' is in the hands of a 'select few' otherwise we would not have millions jumping into lorries to get into the UK. Each of these 'select few' only wants so many roses. It's not like shares in Manchester United, where they will buy thousands of them.

Another factor is the trend started by a few florists to 'ban' red roses on valentines day and promote alternatives. Only a few mind you, but I increasingly find myself persuading people to opt for a mixed arrangement rather than the traditional dozen roses. They spend the same money but get a better looking product.

Just my thoughts of the day.

Exactly what I was thinking aswell, we will have to see what happens on Thursday and Friday with the prices.

With all these Colombian roses flooding England aswell it must change the price alittle.

Ill call you on Friday if I have 80cm Grand Prix for 50p

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Hi Asprin if you get them as 50p we you will be inundated for orders wouldn't that really put the cat among the pigeons just imagine what we could sell doz red roses for and wouldn't our sales really soar unfortunately it won't happen ah well we can dream. Rach

You've just highlited an interesting subject for debate Rach. Let's say Aspirin did manage to offer you a few hundred Grand Prix at 50p. What would you do? Would you put them all out front at 1.99 each and run the risk of all your orders cancelling in order to take up the better offer. Would you average out the price and offer everyone a credit note. Would you hope nobody noticed and just dealt with the ones that did. Would you pretend that the dearer roses where a better grade. I'm not really sure what i would do.... Anyone?

As customer expects to pay more for roses at valentines I think I would say happy days and make some money try to sell at same as my passion we keep our chry, statice, solidago, alstro, lilies, hypericium at the same price all year round so when they are cheap it evens when more expensive our roses also stay the same only reflecting the rise at valentines so I think I would try make a killing here we find if you are to cheap they think what's wrong and often say no I prefer fresh so obviously because an item is an offer they think it is older stock we do run special offers every week some of the time it's a lost leader but at least it brings the customer through the door and again it's swings and roundabouts. Wouldn't we all have a wonderful valentines if that were the case. Rach

They we might have trouble here just be speaking to 2 of our competitors here one selling 12 grand prix for 39 and the other same for 30 we had our on at 55=60 and passion 50=55 depending the content. Although last year both of these shops did the same but we sold all of our roses at the higher price and both of the other shops did have a few doz left and thought their sale were down so maybe it does'nt do to have your roses to cheap. What do you all think? Rach

hello, we always find the earlier people order their valentines flowers, the more they spend. on valentines afternoon, we would expect to be selling bunches ranging £15-£30. This week the organised of our customers are ordering bouquets of £90 upwards!
I'm enjoying reading this thread regarding the prices of flowers and how they are set, its interesting to hear the growers side of production at a peak time.
I agree with Rach totally about selling the grandprix at the normal price if i got a good deal- I'd do exactly the same!

I'm with Rach on this one, make hay while the sun shines (or should that be snowmen when the snow snows!?!

We have kept the price of the basic doz red roses in line with t/f at £54.95 but then we have more gorgeous designs from £60 onwards. And there is a huge bonus for any of my girls that manage to sell the ultimate 100 red roses! We also have lots of bags (no rude comments please!) the sexiest is a tall slim black bag with red rose, steel grass, palm and lucious collar of organza peeping out the top, a very popular choice for the younger clients including the ladies to give to the men. One of easiest designs we do (in place of a handtied) is to use a black living vase, with oasis wrapped in cello in, green it up then stick a dozen roses in to look like a handtied. We will start greening them up this weekend then start putting the flowers in from Monday - they are so easy it's great.

Hey guys, this Valentines we've got a standard passion h/t on at £50, with a Grand Prix deluxe at £70. Last year we found our tropical h/t were a real popular choice with the younger customers. It includes alpina, mini anths, heliconia filled out with lots of tropical foliage. Aside from being long lasting, I personally would prefer my fella to bring this home than roses (I should be so lucky!)

Hope everyone has good Valentines, our supplier is on his usual top form by cocking up both flower orders this week so Im keeping fingers crossed!

Hi Breezy we also do roses in eco vase but we put in cello fill up with water and tie firm but with enough room to allow flowers/foliage foliage in first and then flowers or in this case roses very quick to make and elimnate the need for oasis only problem is you don't have cello on top and therefore flowers have no protection from weather or banging about during delivery much prefer to spend more time and make proper handtie. Rach