Such a business doesn’t make any sense – but does it really?

In today’s world, running a traditional flower shop is becoming more and more challenging. Many people wonder if such a business even still makes sense. Indeed, the problems seem to be piling up: rising costs for electricity, gas and staff salaries, plus ever-increasing competition, not always fair. And yet flower shops still exist – and have a chance to continue growing. The prerequisite, however, is that entrepreneurs are able to see opportunities where others only see threats. Only those who can adapt to changing conditions and learn from the dynamic market will survive. How do you do this? In this article, I will suggest how to find meaning in what appears to be meaningless.

The changing flower industry – a new reality for flower shops

Running a traditional flower shop is no longer as easy as it used to be. Today, customers have access to flowers and plants not only in flower shops, but also online, in supermarkets or at petrol stations. If the customer has comparable products they are more likely to choose the cheapest one. Therefore, the winners are those who create a unique offer and are able to stand out, reach and amaze the modern customer. It is not only a question of a nice flower shop interior, but above all the ability to adapt to market trends, customer expectations and effective resource management.

Innovation strategy – how to use it in a flower shop?

If you want to survive and grow your flower shop in such difficult conditions, you need to focus on innovation. What exactly does this mean? Innovation does not have to mean a huge investment in cutting-edge technology straight away. It could mean introducing new services or adapting your product range to changing consumer tastes and needs. Instead of limiting oneself to bouquets for various occasions, it is worth extending the product range to include unique potted plants, plant compositions that can become a new trend in interior decoration, or the cut flower assortment in more unusual arrangements. But you are unlikely to create such a unique product range by sourcing from a supplier from whom all your local competitors buy.

Innovation in a flower shop is also about improving processes, which can result in savings. The use of inventory management systems, the use of sales analysis tools or even the automation of some processes can help to reduce operating costs and increase revenue which has the effect of improving profitability.

Resource optimalisation – less is more

Resource optimalisation is one of the key tools in managing modern business. Employees’ salaries have been increasing significantly in recent years and, unfortunately, this increase is not directly proportional to their commitment and productivity. An entrepreneur needs to ensure that the florist’s work is utilised to the maximum. At this level of salary, one cannot afford to have an employee stand idle; one must organise the work well and control the results.

Bearing in mind the situation on the job market, it is not only the amount of pay and the commitment of employees that is the problem. A bigger problem is simply the lack of employees, not to mention employees with floristry training and skills. And yet, it is very difficult to handle everything in a flower shop alone.

In the last two years, Poland has become the most bouquetomatized place in the world. More than 400 flower vending machines from local flower shops have appeared on the streets of Polish cities. Although the investment in BouquetMat seemed crazy to many entrepreneurs at first, the vending machines have proved to be a hit as they make maximum use of the florist’s resources.

After all, in a flower shop we have flowers we want to sell quickly, hands ready to work, skills to arrange bouquets, a car, a driver. BouquetMat allows us to sell bouquets in new places to new customers, so the flower shop gains additional revenue. And this is very important in times when costs are rising all the time. One cannot forget about the fact that BouquetMat also becomes a billboard which promotes our brand and sells bouquets from our flower shop at the same time.

Thanks to the support of flower vending machines we can generate more revenue with a smaller team of employees, the florist can simply focus on preparing beautiful bouquets and BouquetMat will relieve them of the sales process and will reach customers who choose this way of purchasing bouquets.

It is also worth investing in appropriate staff training to make workers more informed and efficient, reducing staffing costs without the need for job cuts. This will enable better customer service and speed up order fulfilment.

Increasing revenue – how to find new sources of income?

A key aspect of survival these days is increasing revenue. How do you do this in the floral industry, where wholesale prices for plants and decorative items are often rising? Firstly, it is worth looking for new sources of income. Expanding your business to include additional services – such as decorating interiors for special occasions, hiring plants for events, or selling bouquets in new locations – can bring new income opportunities. It is also worth looking at online sales, which have become an essential part of the success of many businesses.

Online sales not only provide the opportunity to reach a wider range of customers, but also to manage the product range more easily and optimise sales processes. In addition, online shops allow the introduction of loyalty systems that can attract regular customers and increase repeat purchases.

Conclusion – a strategy that makes sense

In a world where costs are rising and competition is not sleeping, the traditional flower shop has a chance of survival only if it can adapt to the changing market. Investing in innovation, optimising resources, and looking for new sources of revenue are all key elements for success. It is therefore necessary to look at change as an opportunity rather than a threat.

So which strategy makes sense? Only one that combines flexibility, efficiency, innovation and attention to the quality of customer service. Flower shops that make effective use of these elements will be able to not only survive, but also to gain a competitive edge.