Comments on: Are Big Chains Really A Threat? http://www.floristseo.com/florists/big-chains-threat Search Engine Optimization tips for florists Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:15:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Duane http://www.floristseo.com/florists/big-chains-threat/comment-page-1#comment-60 Duane Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:28:20 +0000 http://www.floristseo.com/?p=69#comment-60 @ Nancy: I think independent florists have a singular opportunity, or perhaps a requirement to make some changes. Even large companies that are profit driven, like Grower Direct here in Western Canada are losing stores. In 10 years, they have gone from 150 stores to 65 or so. I think the idea of a non, or limited profit co-operative is the way to go for our business. There is too many levels of profit taking to compete as a single entity. This will allow us to gain some control and leverage over both the product and the price. Many factors are affecting this, including shipping costs, increased wholesaler pricing due to slowing economy, box stores. The box stores are using the same sources as us, but have much more negotiating power due to their order size, so who has to pay for that? US! There is a belief out there that we florists don't have a clue what is going on in our businesses, and the wire services, wholesale discount delivery companies, box stores and order gatherers are due for a wake up call. If we don't, we will continue to lose our market share. @ Nancy:

I think independent florists have a singular opportunity, or perhaps a requirement to make some changes. Even large companies that are profit driven, like Grower Direct here in Western Canada are losing stores. In 10 years, they have gone from 150 stores to 65 or so.

I think the idea of a non, or limited profit co-operative is the way to go for our business. There is too many levels of profit taking to compete as a single entity. This will allow us to gain some control and leverage over both the product and the price. Many factors are affecting this, including shipping costs, increased wholesaler pricing due to slowing economy, box stores. The box stores are using the same sources as us, but have much more negotiating power due to their order size, so who has to pay for that? US!

There is a belief out there that we florists don’t have a clue what is going on in our businesses, and the wire services, wholesale discount delivery companies, box stores and order gatherers are due for a wake up call.

If we don’t, we will continue to lose our market share.

]]> By: Brandon http://www.floristseo.com/florists/big-chains-threat/comment-page-1#comment-31 Brandon Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:28:12 +0000 http://www.floristseo.com/?p=69#comment-31 They only hurt florists, in general, who do the same style and use the same flowers as the chains. Big chains beat florists on price and convenience and Americans value that a lot of times over service and quality. The answer is easy, do the opposite of big chains, but 95% of florists don't understand what that even means. All florists paint, some on a canvas and others the side of a house. They only hurt florists, in general, who do the same style and use the same flowers as the chains. Big chains beat florists on price and convenience and Americans value that a lot of times over service and quality. The answer is easy, do the opposite of big chains, but 95% of florists don’t understand what that even means.

All florists paint, some on a canvas and others the side of a house.

]]> By: Nancy Butts http://www.floristseo.com/florists/big-chains-threat/comment-page-1#comment-25 Nancy Butts Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:24:20 +0000 http://www.floristseo.com/?p=69#comment-25 9/6/08 I'm from Michigan and the big chains/box stores are hurting just like the rest of us in Michigan's economy. On a wholesale level, they have cut the numbers of flowers and plants they contracted, hurting the local grower. On a retail level, they have sharply decreased the square footage allotted to fresh product. So can the smaller shop compete with niche marketing---yes, to a degree. What the local floral shops/floral organizations need to address is the inequity in wholesale pricing for the box stores vs. the floral shop. One answer is to develop a chain of floral shops which many are doing. Another possibility is co-operative buying which is hard to get organized. Does anyone have any other ideas? 9/6/08
I’m from Michigan and the big chains/box stores are hurting just like the rest of us in Michigan’s economy. On a wholesale level, they have cut the numbers of flowers and plants they contracted, hurting the local grower. On a retail level,
they have sharply decreased the square footage allotted to fresh product. So can the smaller shop compete with niche marketing—yes, to a degree. What the local floral shops/floral organizations need to address is the inequity in wholesale pricing for the box stores vs. the floral shop. One answer is to develop
a chain of floral shops which many are doing. Another possibility is co-operative buying which is hard to get organized. Does anyone have any other ideas?

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