Preston Bailey's bouquet line for 1-800-flowers.com

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CHR

CHR

Design matters
Nov 28, 2002
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Never noticed Preston Bailey's signature bouqet line for 1-800-flowers.com until today.

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Prices start from $175.00

This adds yet another celebrity designer to the 1800 team. Previous discussion about Jane Packer's arrangements is located here.

1800 is also promoting the signature designs of Julie Mulligan, Jim McCann's sister. Some are florist-delivered and some are direct-ship.

No doubt - 1800 sells thousands of bread and butter designs for each one of those couture collection bouquets, but it's again good to see
1) designers being recognized by name
2) price points sufficient to provide abundant, quality flowers

Any thoughts on Mr. Bailey joining the 1800 team? Is it a brilliant career move or akin to Wolfgang Puck creating a line of meals for McDonalds or ???
 
It's all about money..

Cathy -- I loved your comment about Wolfgang Puck and McDonald's -- the fit doesn't seem right between Bailey and 1-800, but then again look at Isaac Mizrahi (sorry if my spelling is wrong) and Target. It's working for them.. Obviously, Preston Bailey will be able to more of a true "household name" with an association with 1800. We know his name well being in the industry, but not many outside of floral know who he is.. From his perspective, maybe he sees that 1800 will be able to increase his visibility and therefore his "worth" with media, etc... Personally, I see 1-800 positioning themselves as the go-to source for all gift items, and preparing themselves for an even greater battle against Proflowers. We as retail florists aren't their main competition any longer. We aren't even a major concern in their supplier chain, just one channel to get their products delivered. Preston Bailey designs will probably be drop shipped items, so they will be able to maintain their exclusivity in offering the "premium" designs. If Preston's agent was smart, they should have gotten royalties from every design sold with his name on it. Could add up to big bucks$$$$ for him, which I think is an excellent move on his part.
 
Like I've said before...McCann's a pretty fart smeller...ooops...smart feller....

He does know what he's doing and has a long range plan....seems to be the only one in the WS industry today....

Kind of like Puck and Mickey D's...but I think it'll work. Most likely they will market it seperately to selected market segments and generate fairly good support in the elitist arena....

Nice designs...and it does look like they are offering a good possibility for profit margin...question is, how many florists can reproduce them to satisfy, or will they not leave that to chance....
 
From reading the descriptions, I'd say they are drop shipped (wonder if Preston is actually doing them, Not!) If I had a couple hundred to drop, I'd order one.
 
McCann's Passion. . .

is to be admired.
I heard an interview with him done by Dan Kennedy and Bill Glazer (two of the best when it comes to direct marketing).
The interview questions were directed toward the marketing of 1-800, but McCann could not help but keep going back to his passion for his customers (which is really what marketing is about) and wanting to be America's Florist. He really takes the 1-800/customer relationship to a profitable extreme.
He knows his business and knows his customers, much better than the avg florist, I am afraid.
 
bloomery said:
look at Isaac Mizrahi (sorry if my spelling is wrong) and Target.
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Target has definitely been the leader in designer products for the masses. Love their stuff from Michael Graves and others.

Can't locate the exact quote but remember reading a interview with Jim McCann saying he wanted his company to be the 'class of the masses' in flower selling. These designer name products fill the niche for savvy shoppers.

Preston Bailey designs will probably be drop shipped items, so they will be able to maintain their exclusivity in offering the "premium" designs. If Preston's agent was smart, they should have gotten royalties from every design sold with his name on it.
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All of his items are direct-ship - as are Jane Packer's and Jane Carroll's. IMO it's the only way 1800 can maintain anything close to quality control. *Imagine the substitutions on same-delivery* :rolleyes:

As Carol noted above, the designer series products are ineligible for discounts and promotional codes. Could be for a couple reasons... 1 - 'Celebs' don't want their designs marked down, 2) the designers are paid commission on each sale.

There's not a single design in those series that couldn't be produced locally by a shop positioned as the 'go-to' florist of style. But most of those stores aren't filling for 1800 'cuz they won't discount that kind of work either. :>
 
Preston has always been one of my favorite American designers. The thought of him at 800flowers is bittersweet, just like it was when I heard Jane had signed on with them.

Some of there custom work is drop shipped for sure. Epic used to use the same busniess in Miami 800flowers did and I've talked to the GM about 800 paying full time employees to work at this business doing nothing but custom work.
 
Jane Packer is NOT one of my favorites

especially if she promotes more like this...
http://ww3.1800flowers.com/product....ion3&pcode=16442&cc=1001&sc=1001&body_sc=1001

I wish I could get $40 for three flowers in a china cup and saucer. I personally do not call that even close to "floral design" At least Preston usually has class. Also Todd Oldham's topiary design promoted on FTD's site is sooo, how can I say, ?plain?
I guess you can say, easy to produce-put a "famous name" on it yet any designer can copy so they can ship them out. I'd love to know just how many of these famous name designs they are selling (other than florists trying to see how they arrive by drop ship :dunno:
 
Speaking of this...

Just saw today that Todd Oldham (Hmm, fashion designer goes florist...Nah?!?!) has been recruited by FTD. They are drop shipping his pretty little something or anothers all over the country.

Interested? Lol, Click Here: http://www.ftd.com/514/catalog/category.epl?index_id=product_oldham&homepage_link=QS

The bird's "nest"- 45.00 9" tall
The birdhouse- 50.00 8" tall
The Tea Pot- 65.00 8" tall

Nice.
 
Trying to sell carnations down here is almost impossible..no matter how "cute" or "interesting" the design/container is. I wonder how the viewers will respond to almost all of this top desingers arrangments having carns and other very ordinary flowers in them. I'm sure a lot of that is due to shipping but my guess is that they won't go over as well as they are planning...but what do I know.
 
Do any of you wonderfully talented FC designers. . . . .

attach your name to any of your creations????

Since the public generally do not know the top designers in our industry, why not become the name people recognize in your individual areas.

Seems to me, your unique creations are yours to promote. Why not take a lesson from Mr 800.

Just a thought. Why Not?
 
BamaE4U said:
attach your name to any of your creations????

Since the public generally do not know the top designers in our industry, why not become the name people recognize in your individual areas.

Seems to me, your unique creations are yours to promote. Why not take a lesson from Mr 800.

Just a thought. Why Not?
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Because I want my shop name and brand associated with the designs, not my designers :)

That's fine and dandy for those who are freelancers, but doesn't do much for the shop owners except raise payroll.

Ryan
 
A few years ago, someone was starting a flower shop in a greenhouse near Sarnia. I was working in Wyoming at the time and these people kept coming in to "borrow" supplies etc. I asked where they learned their design skills etc. His answer "Anyone can be a designer, all they have to do is look at a picture". Uh huh... looking at these pics, that theory is proved wrong. And by the way, they are no longer in business as a flower shop. Can't imagine why.

V
 
disagree

Infinite said:
Because I want my shop name and brand associated with the designs, not my designers :)

That's fine and dandy for those who are freelancers, but doesn't do much for the shop owners except raise payroll.

Ryan
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Ryan gotta disagree on this one, used a label with logo and designers name in my store. Nothing like getting a phone call from the person saying how nice is it is and asking for that person by name. The other side of the coin, which I hope doesnt happen too often is don't let ABC do my arrangements anymore..A little personal touch. besides you did hire that person because they were qualified didnt you? You did train them to your style...Shops do have there own unique standards and designs but you can't do it alone ...There is nothing wrong with sharing credit. Besides can you answer every call and make every arrangement ? Contrary to what some customers think !!
While I appreciate your concerns about rising employee costs, I believe a little personal touch from an employed associate brings that much more value to your business.
Hal
 
We have care cards that we personally had printed. Each card has room for the designers name. Says "Designed especially for you by..." It works, when we get "My flowers were absolutely beautiful, please tell Donna...etc" As the designer/owner for 30+ years, almost every customer asks for me..and for a long time, I was the one credited with the designs, these cards let the recipient know that it was Donna, me, or whomever is working at the time, is the designer. And so many of the callers always said "Rhonda knows what I want" so now these people know it's not just Rhonda doing all the work.
**** BUT **** nothing leaves this shop that has not been perused by me to keep quality/quantity standards (or I try to )
 
excellent

Rhonda at work said:
We have care cards that we personally had printed. Each card has room for the designers name. Says "Designed especially for you by..." It works, when we get "My flowers were absolutely beautiful, please tell Donna...etc" As the designer/owner for 30+ years, almost every customer asks for me..and for a long time, I was the one credited with the designs, these cards let the recipient know that it was Donna, me, or whomever is working at the time, is the designer. And so many of the callers always said "Rhonda knows what I want" so now these people know it's not just Rhonda doing all the work.
**** BUT **** nothing leaves this shop that has not been perused by me to keep quality/quantity standards (or I try to )
Click to expand...

And allows you more time to promote your business... Great !
 
Come on FCers, the name of the game these days is "CO-BRANDING". All the big corps. are doing it to capitalize on those who just love dropping names at the cocktail parties. McDonald's has been doing it for years with it's Kid's Meals, using Pixar and other tie-ins to sell more burgers. Target hit gold with, as Cathy said, its cross-branding with Michael Graves, and even K-Mart (ugggh!) got Martha to play the game.

Don't expect this trend to end anytime soon.
 
I think that name dropping also applies to. . .

local folks identifing with local business people on a personal basis.
I know at times my friend John (Manager at our favorite Seafood Restaurant) asks me to come in, if feels good to be able to say, "John said to ask for him". He gets us in and seated in no time.

When it comes to flowers you have delivered to a customer:

"Oh, where did you get that beautiful arrangement?"
"I had Kathie over at Especially For You do that for me!"

Seems win/win to me.
 
I guess I feel designers are like hair dressers.. when they move to a new shop they are expected to bring a clientelle with them..hense the ads in the newspaper and the direct mail to past customers.
I no longer believe in advertising my designers.. I believe in advertising my store and its great people.. not specifics.. been in the business a long time and it really doesn't benefit ME to advertise them.. anyway I have taught most of them all the new things or taken them to classes.. so in my mind their expertise is for my store's customers benefit.

Now maybe that doesn't sound very 'giving' but every week my designers get paid.. and my pay is directly related to profits.. if my store doesn't make a profit then I am the one who gets it in the wallet.. No designer has ever offered to re imburse me for a failed ad campaign, or for classes for that matter. And I allow designers great input into new products etc.. when we get a bomb no one has ever offered to pay for the cost of the product that did not work out.

SOoooo. my advertising goes towards branding my store. When people call Greens and Things I don't want them to think I only have 1 great designer..I want them to expect all my designers to be great.

and if a designer chooses to leave I do not want to encourage my customers to follow that designer to where ever he/she went.
 
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