800flowers leads the way!

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BOSS

BOSS

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Oct 31, 2002
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800flowers has (finally) offered an OPT OUT of the printed florist directory in favor of a digital online version....

Ya'll know I hate to give them "atta boys" but this time they did get something right...

20071129_BN_PressRelease.jpg


Media Contact:
Davina Coard, (516) 237-4933
[email protected]

General Inquiries:
Lisa Carmichael, (516) 237-7948
[email protected]

BloomNet® "Florists for Forestssm" Enables Florists to Make a Positive Environmental Difference


CARLE PLACE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BloomNet®, a preferred wire service provider and single destination for products and services for retail Florists worldwide, and wholly-owned subsidiary of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM (NASDAQ: FLWS), has introduced a new program whereby BloomNet Professional Florists can make an important difference in the effort to protect and preserve the environment.

BloomNet Florists for Forestssm enables BloomNet Florists to assist in limiting paper consumption while simultaneously providing an opportunity to support global environmental conservation.

To take part in Florists for Forests, BloomNet Florists simply send an email to [email protected] and request that they not be sent the quarterly printed BloomNet Directory by mail. As an environmentally-friendly alternative to the printed directory, BloomNet has created the floral industry's first and only "digital" Directory Online, which contains all the information included in the printed directory without the paper and provides BloomNet Florists with the convenience and ease of being able to find the best-qualified florist to fulfill their orders with just a click of their mouse. As part of the "Florists for Forests" program, BloomNet will make a donation to the American Forests not-for-profit organization to plant a tree on behalf of each BloomNet Florist who foregoes the printed Directory. Furthermore, BloomNet will match this donation and plant a second tree, thereby doubling the benefit to the environment.

"BloomNet is proud to play a role in preserving and sustaining vital natural resources for future generations," said Mark Nance, President of BloomNet. "We urge all BloomNet Professional Florists to join us in this effort, working together to 'turn over a new leaf' and lead environmental change throughout the floral industry."

To date, American Forests has planted over 25 million trees in more than 500 projects in every state and territory in America as well as 21 countries worldwide. These efforts will help keep the planet cool and offset the impact of global warming.

BloomNet Professional Florists who participate in Florists for Forests will receive a certificate and logo which they can display in their stores and on their websites. Participating BloomNet Florists will also be acknowledged in the BloomNet Directory and on the new MyBloomNet.net web portal.

For further information about BloomNet Florists for Forests or to become a BloomNet Professional Florist, call 1-866-BloomNet (1-866-256-6663)
 
Forgot to comment...

In light of the other posts on FC this morning, it "looks" on the surface that 800Flowers is making moves to reposition themselves as more "florist friendly". It was not lost on me that there was no mention of removing the directory fee, but I'm ass-u-me-ing that it will go away or at least be reduced (800 are you listening?).

I see this as a shot across the bow of TFTD and I would look for them to be forced to follow suit in the not to distant future. But I have been wrong before, and they may simply ignore this move, which is more likely considering the cash cows the directories are.

I should add kudos too for the tree planting gig, bout time some major companies increased their "green efforts".
 
I haven't looked at a directory since 2000.....I do look the day I get it to make sure my info is printed correctly, then I close it and it sits and waits for the the next one to come and gets thrown away..
 
Us too I don't think we have taken the wrap off one in about that same amount of time.
 
1) This reminds me of the old AFS days when they would issue press releases for just about anything - and they always got picked up in the press.

2) Green/environmental issues are hot, so the info adds to a 'feel good' quotient for 1-800/BloomNet.

3) 1-800 probably has the lowest income from directory ads, compared to TF and FTD, and as said previously, there's no mention of ad price roll backs in spite of their lowered cost. This move could force the other two to do the same or risk looking anti-environment - but they will likely lose the most income.

4) The American Forests donation adds up to about $30 per shop ($15 per tree). Heck, 1-800 will save a fortune in printing and postage so a $30 feel-good donation is cheap.

The print directories would have been gone long ago if they weren't so profitable. I do hope the other WSs follow suit.

It's just interesting to see how a company can spin this move to improve their bottom line into warm and fuzzy PR.
 
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We received the e-mail also and have already opted out of the directory. This is great news!!

There was an earlier thread discussing the directories that were being sold on e-bay. I sent an e-mail to our rep and told him about it. My rep immediately forwarded the e-mail to his supervisors and cc'd me. I am sure lots and lots of florists also did this and perhaps we made a difference in their policy making.
 
No more paper directories??? What will I do to start my campfires???

Little lighter fluid and they burn REAL good!

Actually, a good marketing move as another selling point for florists...since many now use digital directories...Go Green, get rid of the book!

- H.
 
I dont think these directories will never go away. Too many florist still out there in the dark age of no computers etc.
Luc
 
Luc said:
I dont think these directories will never go away. Too many florist still out there in the dark age of no computers etc.
Luc
Click to expand...

...but the fewer directories printed, the higher the production costs...

...and the costs must be off-set by higher charges...

...forcing the small shop to pay more, or finally buy a computer, meaning...

Problem solved for the wire service!
 
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