Florist News

Hi

After a few years of what you call 'home working'( see other threads!!) I am thinking about opening a shop in Brighton. I think it can't just be a 'florist' has to offer other things too.Any major pitfalls apart from the obvious?

Thanks!

Q1: Why do you want to open a shop?
Q2: Why do think it 'can't be just a florist'?

1) Want to open a shop as good though the internet may be, passing trade doesnt happen in the same way. Also, always wanted a shop, something I would really take pride in!

2) Brighton has quite a few florists, some excellent,some ok. I think perhaps by diversifying a bit, I can come up with something a little different. I know we all think that, but I think its true.

Hello fabiflori, a lot of florists now offer champagne and wine for sale in their shops and I've heard this can be very profitable (although you will need to licence your premises which can be expensive).
I am intrigued to know, why after 10 years trading from home you feel the need to "spread your roots"(!) into having a shop. I imagine you are pretty free to do as you like at the moment, for example not having to be at work for 9am every day, your paperwork is minimal(are you registered for VAT or have any employees?), picking and choosing the nice work you want to do (as opposed to doing any work just to pay the rent).
Its a WHOLE new ballgame running a shop, its a big commitment that ties you down, its long, long hours and it can be very stressful. Could you set up within another business first to see how you like it to start with.. a garden centre? a coffee shop? (how tranquil having tea whilst watching you make up flowers!) an indoor market? upmarket giftshop? You could have a fixed cost that the business owner would set, of all your overheads according to how much space you will use. Just an idea that I've heard works very well in many towns.
(I am not in any way being patronising (just read it back to myself) you may have worked in a shop before and so know exactly what its like!-sorry!)
Whatever you decide, I wish you lots and lots of luck!
Jo

Hello!

Thanks for all that...I have worked in a shop before, albeit a shop within a hotel.

reasons for wanting to have premises away from home are really social as much as anything else! Home working is fine, but as work expands, I don't like having it around me all the time....I know with a shop its the same, but at least you can 'go home'!

I think a better idea is an outlet as you say within somewhere else - which i am definitely looking into now. Watch this space as they say...

Greg

hi greg,

running a shop is very hard, the hours, the stress etc, but i do not regret doing for myself, i think opening a stall or area in a bigger outlet is a good idea, but if you have your own shop, you could always rent out space in there to someone else, to offer something different, maybe a balloon artist, will your majority of customers be young and trendy, or older and traditional?
where we are its a mixture, will you want to sell lots of spray cars or lots of exotic arrangements?

what sort of size of shop were you looking at? a friend of mine has a florist/coffee and milkshake shop which i think is a great idea,

call me old fashioned- but I like a Florist to be just that a Florist
Whilst I can appreciate that some shops offer soft furnishing to boost income
and alot of the Floral mags now talk about 'Selling the life style' Do you think the 'Florist' is encroaching on the 'Interior Designer' ???????????
As I do not have a shop at the moment I apologise if I'm speaking out of turn but would like to know your thoughts on why (if I understand your question correctly) you think there may not be enough profit in flowers alone ? and could I ask if this is a common thought /proven fact amongst florist shop owners ?

Hi Dragonfly,

How we would love to be just florists in a flower shop but the need to diversify grows greater. We have stiff competition from the supermarkets these days, they have all jumped on the flower bandwagon, so we constantly have to think of other ways of getting the customers in. I admit to dragging my heels in this department because I don't want a shop full of 'other' stuff but when the time comes I will because I want my business to survive. The only extra things we do at present is unusual glass, ceramics and the usual candles etc but we are thinking of offering a gift wrapping service with handmade paper and ribbon. At the end of the day if people come in to have a gift wrapped I may be able to sell them one of our gorgeous designs aswell. If it pays my girls and the rent then I shall be happy to do it.

Breezy

I understand your view point and may be when its my turn I to will hold on to the old adage that 'Business is Business'
I wish you every sucess going forward

Hi Fabfiori,

After reading the thread it sounds like you are ready to spread your wings and I wish you the best of luck. I do like Joflowers idea to open within a shop as I have approached a few local florists to sell my gift baskets and thankfully they have said yes.

Doing this way will at least get my name out and about as well as my website which is still in the process of development.

Joflowers also suggested champagne and wine which has its own headaches such as an alcohol licence which I have priced in my area at £140K which would sink my boat immediately. I would suggest contacting your local council for more advise. Whatever decision you make I know it will be the right one.

Jon.