Spring has Sprung!

Although it seems that spring just started, it is the time for a very busy time of planning for a successful string of spring holidays. We are in the lull or calm before the storm of April and May events. With Easter, Secretaries Day, Mother’s Day within a two week period, it is important to prepare as much as possible now to get ready for these high output demand times.
The first place to look is at last year’s sales history to review what sold well and which price points were the strongest. Keeping in mind that this year’s economy is slightly stronger, customers will be looking once again to celebrate or remember these holidays with flowers.
Easter brings the wonderful colors to life that spring has to offer. Beautiful spring flowers such as Tulips, Iris, Daffodils, Hydrangea, and Peonies all make their come back to grace the dinner tables in the home and celebrate the Easter festivities in churches. Blooming branches of Forsythia, Cherry, and Prunus make a strong and impactful statement in grand open spaces. Since many people dine out on Easter Sunday, be sure and contact the restaurants in your area to remind them that they need to order their buffet décor and vase flowers for this busy time. Consider offering a special price for every order placed by April 15th or a percentage discount for orders over $100.00.
Secretaries Day falls the following week after Easter. Again, this is the time to determine your prototypes and to post them on your web site so they can be seen in advance. When developing the prototypes, keep in mind that it is not uncommon for multiple orders going to the same location so perhaps consider a single delivery charge if possible to encourage multiple orders. This will be a good time to be pro-active with your phone and E-mail campaigns to remind your business customers that they need to place their orders early for best selection. Be mindful of the office that they are going to. If space is tight, then perhaps a cube design would work better for the desk. Remember, ‘Form Follows Function’.
Mother’s Day falls on May 8th this year. It is a holiday that many celebrate with flowers and blooming plants. Generally floral stylings are sent to the home or residence of the mothers. Once again, be mindful that many have downsized in the living environments so large designs may be a challenge to accommodate in these living spaces. While we like to use flowers that have a wonderful fragrance, they need to be used judiciously so the fragrance is not over powering in small living areas. Another consideration to keep in mind is often older adults may have some sight challenges so stronger colors may be a better choice for these recipients. Posting your in house features on your web site along with the nationally advertised wire service specials, you can broaden your customer’s selections. Vases, baskets and keepsake containers are all popular choices for moms. Remember, not all moms have the same interests or personality, so it is important to vary the style and price points to have something for everyone. Consider having a ‘Make-It-Take-It’ for kids to come in and make an arrangement for mom. What a great way to get the sale from the dads while the kids are busy!
Being prepared is one of the greatest keys to a successful holiday. This year be ready to meet and greet all the opportunities you will have to make someone’s day special with flowers. Contact your Account Manager to review your last year’s orders and to place this year’s order early to avoid the disappointment of not getting your favorite flowers and foliages. It is never too early to be prepared.