Summer Sensations
One of the biggest challenges retailers face in the summer is how to marry great offerings of product with clients who tend to stray away during the warmer days of summer. Often we find that many customers have developed their own source of flowers; namely their back yard. With gardening still being the number one past time, customers on occasion cut their own flowers for their own personal enjoyment. Here are a couple of ideas to capitalize on their flowers of plenty.
First idea is to remember not every garden produces flowers, fillers and foliages that are compatible at the same time. Try offering mixed foliage bundles that would work well with traditional garden flowers grown in your area. Keep in mind that shapes and textures play an important part in the success of these. Package them in brown craft paper and tie with some natural jute cord for a real DIY (do it yourself) look. You can also offer a mixed bouquet of filler materials as well. Statice, Gypsophila, Montecasino, Solidago and Waxflower are a few filler materials that could combine well together. Mix several products for a selection of choices.
Remember that just because a customer has grown a few blossoms, it is still a good idea to offer supplemental bundles of Spray Roses, Dahlias and Liatris. Hydrangea and Lilies also replicate garden growings.
What a great time to think about offering DIY classes in the shop where customers bring in their own containers, flowers and foliages to learn the fine art of arranging. Be sure to have on hand lots of bundles and add ons such as nests, birds, pretty ribbons and any other accessory items that might work with their summer sensational designs. This is a great way to expose your customers to inventory items that they might not know you sell.
The craft stores are making great strides in the sale of these ‘florist items’, so you should market your wares to garner the sale. Keep these hands on class formats going for your customers by making them aware of any up coming classes planned for the summer and fall.
