I missed the rio roses thread??? Mark do I understand that FTD is now in charge of Rio roses.. or selling it or branding it'.. I missed this tread and am in the dark? thanks for help catching me up
what's up with Rio Roses?
- Thread starter carol
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BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
I am still trying to sort this out Carol, know that there are many looking at this thing.
There's alot to it, that I still don;t understand, but am trying to, and will be hearing more next week, I am sure...
There's alot to it, that I still don;t understand, but am trying to, and will be hearing more next week, I am sure...
bill schodowski
Active Member
rio roses
carol/boss.. i don't know if a post from me will stop the major speculation that seems to be existent on this board about the future direction of rio roses. Rio’s corporate mission is to develop rio roses into the first nationally consumer recognized and branded rose. Our game plan has never wavered in the production of the highest caliber flower…available only through the traditional retail florist segment. We win if the traditional retailers win. We win…if we increase the floral consumption by consumers through recognized retailers and wholesalers. We are now readying the next step in our business plan. To accomplish product branding…one has to be first in the minds of the consumer. Starbucks, Nike, Budweiser and Harley Davison are primary examples of major brands. Our industry, like it or not, has become a “look-alike†industry. Nothing of significance has separated most florists from their competitors. Nothing or nobody is giving the consumer the “reason to believe†that a retail florist should be the place to spend their hard earned money. Rio’s corporate direction hopes to change that. The year 2005 will be an exciting year for the participating Rio retail florists. Our first step will be in identifying existing Rio Rose florists in the two major wire service directories. Florists who have enjoyed the quality of our product will now be able to select other Rio florists to handle order fulfillment. The second step has to do with the unveiling of Buzz The Bee. This time out, Buzz has a more targeted mission…to raise public awareness of Rio Roses and create awareness at participating Rio florist establishments. The third step will be the repositioning of www.rioroses.com into a customer-friendly e-commerce site. There is much work to be done on our projects and we don’t profess to have all of the answers. However, that’s what “tomorrow’s†are all about. We are busily working on a website that will allow Rio Rose customers to select and send orders to participating Rio Rose retailers. Our promise to our retailers is to increase the demand for our products through their flower shops and to deliver business to them at the highest dollar value of the industry. Since day one I have stated that Rio is not for everybody. It is not the savior of the floral industry. What it is…is a consistent, quality brand…and a company that has dedicated its future to making sales happen for participating Rio florists We, at Rio, have a lot of work to still accomplish before we are ready for the launch of any of our projects. Florists will continue to do what they have done since I joined this industry in 1971…they will exercise good judgment and do what they think is in the best interest of their flower shop. We will continue to work on behalf of the florists that wish to work with Rio. carol/boss....i don't know if i've addressed your inquiries. my intent is not to make this (or any other) board the forum to discuss Rio's business plan. however, i can always be reached at [email protected]. have a great day!
bill schodowski
carol/boss.. i don't know if a post from me will stop the major speculation that seems to be existent on this board about the future direction of rio roses. Rio’s corporate mission is to develop rio roses into the first nationally consumer recognized and branded rose. Our game plan has never wavered in the production of the highest caliber flower…available only through the traditional retail florist segment. We win if the traditional retailers win. We win…if we increase the floral consumption by consumers through recognized retailers and wholesalers. We are now readying the next step in our business plan. To accomplish product branding…one has to be first in the minds of the consumer. Starbucks, Nike, Budweiser and Harley Davison are primary examples of major brands. Our industry, like it or not, has become a “look-alike†industry. Nothing of significance has separated most florists from their competitors. Nothing or nobody is giving the consumer the “reason to believe†that a retail florist should be the place to spend their hard earned money. Rio’s corporate direction hopes to change that. The year 2005 will be an exciting year for the participating Rio retail florists. Our first step will be in identifying existing Rio Rose florists in the two major wire service directories. Florists who have enjoyed the quality of our product will now be able to select other Rio florists to handle order fulfillment. The second step has to do with the unveiling of Buzz The Bee. This time out, Buzz has a more targeted mission…to raise public awareness of Rio Roses and create awareness at participating Rio florist establishments. The third step will be the repositioning of www.rioroses.com into a customer-friendly e-commerce site. There is much work to be done on our projects and we don’t profess to have all of the answers. However, that’s what “tomorrow’s†are all about. We are busily working on a website that will allow Rio Rose customers to select and send orders to participating Rio Rose retailers. Our promise to our retailers is to increase the demand for our products through their flower shops and to deliver business to them at the highest dollar value of the industry. Since day one I have stated that Rio is not for everybody. It is not the savior of the floral industry. What it is…is a consistent, quality brand…and a company that has dedicated its future to making sales happen for participating Rio florists We, at Rio, have a lot of work to still accomplish before we are ready for the launch of any of our projects. Florists will continue to do what they have done since I joined this industry in 1971…they will exercise good judgment and do what they think is in the best interest of their flower shop. We will continue to work on behalf of the florists that wish to work with Rio. carol/boss....i don't know if i've addressed your inquiries. my intent is not to make this (or any other) board the forum to discuss Rio's business plan. however, i can always be reached at [email protected]. have a great day!
bill schodowski
Rhonda
Well-Known Member
question? I have purchased Stranger Roses (Equiflor brand) from one of my truck wholesalers. They are absolutely beautiful...open slowly and fully and have had lives of up to two weeks out of the cooler (with care) 10 days (without care). If I can get these through my truck wholesaler why not Rios?
They use buckets in their large trucks (due to down time are running vans and pre packs right now)..
They use buckets in their large trucks (due to down time are running vans and pre packs right now)..
bill schodowski
Active Member
rhonda....
i get confused...often. i've read and re-read your post....and i'm not getting something.
equiflor is the parent company of rio roses. we don't market any roses under an equiflor brand. our only flower brands are rio roses, floratec carnations....and euro spec specialty flowers.
i recognize that carbone's doesn't go that far north. send me an email to [email protected] and let me know who goes through your area.
if i mis-read something in your post...let me know.
bill schodowski
i get confused...often. i've read and re-read your post....and i'm not getting something.
equiflor is the parent company of rio roses. we don't market any roses under an equiflor brand. our only flower brands are rio roses, floratec carnations....and euro spec specialty flowers.
i recognize that carbone's doesn't go that far north. send me an email to [email protected] and let me know who goes through your area.
if i mis-read something in your post...let me know.
bill schodowski
George Simon
I Suck Cuz I'm Banned
Bill, if you provide us with the list of florists that carry Rio roses (in ascii or csv format), we can incorporate that information into flowerSoft's florist directory database.
It is my understanding that FTD will be involved in the "selling" of RIO Roses in two different ways. First if you carry RIO's you may be codified as such in their directories. Secondly FTD.com will be selling them on their site and from what I have been told will offer lots of information about why they are a superior product.
flowerknife+us
New Member
Knife's Wife
I have a problem with the concept of teaming up in any way with FTD or TEL.
1st. What is the definition of "retail forist" today!
For the wire services that is any one who will pay their dues who can add to their bottom line.
Take for instant grocery stores...
I know that there are many here that do not worry about what their grocery store is doing and for them maybe it is not much of a concern, but around here it's another story. We have 3 "Super" centers within two miles of us with very large floral departments, two of which are both FTD. Yes, we see the difference between them and us but, the consumer for the most part does not. They are a major part of our competition. So, who is left that Rio is cutting out of the mix? Not the basement betty's becuse the whosalers will sell to them,and they can join the wire service and do. Not the grocery stores because they are members and are considered retail florist. Hell, even the non brick and mortar order gatherers will now know who to send junk orders to , with the induction of codifing, leading to the demise of more flower shops who will fill their orders with a product that has cost them more, erroding more of thier bottom line. So, explain to me again how Rio is going to help save this industry by setting us apart from our competition by your branding?
Branding of wire service containers and advertising was what set us apart from everyone else for many years. Then the wire services started signing up everyone and anyone and that killed that unique difference.
I could see a particular product branding helping us out and I was taking a serious look at Rio until they got in bed with FTD.
If Rio or anyone else is serious about saving this industry in the good name of the florist and I mean the "real florist", they would work with us and us alone and our local wholesalers, not join the big 2 for the easy marketing and the quick dollar, and the ease of fooling 30,000 at once instead of converting real flowershop one at a time. That is the hard way I know, everyone wants the easy way out.
Please, don't turned this thread into "leave the wire serices, you are part of the problem, mantra" because we are not talking about "my" membership of Tel. we are talking about RIO roses.
I was trying to see the good in Rio, am I missing something that someone would like to share?
Knife's Wife
I have a problem with the concept of teaming up in any way with FTD or TEL.
1st. What is the definition of "retail forist" today!
For the wire services that is any one who will pay their dues who can add to their bottom line.
Take for instant grocery stores...
I know that there are many here that do not worry about what their grocery store is doing and for them maybe it is not much of a concern, but around here it's another story. We have 3 "Super" centers within two miles of us with very large floral departments, two of which are both FTD. Yes, we see the difference between them and us but, the consumer for the most part does not. They are a major part of our competition. So, who is left that Rio is cutting out of the mix? Not the basement betty's becuse the whosalers will sell to them,and they can join the wire service and do. Not the grocery stores because they are members and are considered retail florist. Hell, even the non brick and mortar order gatherers will now know who to send junk orders to , with the induction of codifing, leading to the demise of more flower shops who will fill their orders with a product that has cost them more, erroding more of thier bottom line. So, explain to me again how Rio is going to help save this industry by setting us apart from our competition by your branding?
Branding of wire service containers and advertising was what set us apart from everyone else for many years. Then the wire services started signing up everyone and anyone and that killed that unique difference.
I could see a particular product branding helping us out and I was taking a serious look at Rio until they got in bed with FTD.
If Rio or anyone else is serious about saving this industry in the good name of the florist and I mean the "real florist", they would work with us and us alone and our local wholesalers, not join the big 2 for the easy marketing and the quick dollar, and the ease of fooling 30,000 at once instead of converting real flowershop one at a time. That is the hard way I know, everyone wants the easy way out.
Please, don't turned this thread into "leave the wire serices, you are part of the problem, mantra" because we are not talking about "my" membership of Tel. we are talking about RIO roses.
I was trying to see the good in Rio, am I missing something that someone would like to share?
Knife's Wife
Bill...who carries them in my area.. sw nhflower?? not Seagroat, not Springfield, so who does.. and if FTd is going to sell them on their website..direct?..then how is it helping me the local florist?? I get & I like the idea of listing participating florists in the directories tho'
flowerknife+us
New Member
Knife's wife wrote
P.S.
When/if, Rio roses branding works and it becomes the household talk. You will be forced, along with every other area vendor of flowers to carry Rio, because that is what the consumer now wants, and has been brainwashed with advertising to think is the only good roses to have. You will then be right back where you started, trying to set yourself apart from everyone else and fighting to keep your customer from going to just anyone for their Rio roses.
Knife's Wife
P.S.
When/if, Rio roses branding works and it becomes the household talk. You will be forced, along with every other area vendor of flowers to carry Rio, because that is what the consumer now wants, and has been brainwashed with advertising to think is the only good roses to have. You will then be right back where you started, trying to set yourself apart from everyone else and fighting to keep your customer from going to just anyone for their Rio roses.
Knife's Wife
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
Me too!flowerknife+us said:
I think what was originally envisioned as a way to allow Retail Real Florists know who the others were that carried the same product got a bit off track...
Know that this "concept" as well as the Rio site are being looked at closely and that some modification will be managed I am sure.
And as you suggest in your follow up post, not everyone will decide to carry RIO, mostly based on price alone, and many can not utalize the volume necessary to make it work for them.
BamaE4U
New Member
"rio roses" search on goog
Produces the Rio Rose site 1st.
The Flower Smith 2nd . . . . . "way to go"
But over to the right comes up "www.your-flower-shop.com"
I don't think they are a "real florist".
hmmm, maybe Bill needs to look into this.
Getting their logo onto the FTD and TF sites is a great marketing idea.
Probably better than a speed boat. . .
Will they be able to keep the FTD grocery stores from purchasing? Time will tell.
The idea of selling and promoting through "real florists" SOUNDS great, but in the end, I can't help but believe that business will be business and the high bidder profits from the exposure provided by "real florists".
Untill that happens though, the concept may have some merit to promote flower awareness, especially with the Bee.
Produces the Rio Rose site 1st.
The Flower Smith 2nd . . . . . "way to go"
But over to the right comes up "www.your-flower-shop.com"
I don't think they are a "real florist".
hmmm, maybe Bill needs to look into this.
Getting their logo onto the FTD and TF sites is a great marketing idea.
Probably better than a speed boat. . .
Will they be able to keep the FTD grocery stores from purchasing? Time will tell.
The idea of selling and promoting through "real florists" SOUNDS great, but in the end, I can't help but believe that business will be business and the high bidder profits from the exposure provided by "real florists".
Untill that happens though, the concept may have some merit to promote flower awareness, especially with the Bee.
Ditto.BamaE4U said:
When we joined RIO, we were really excited by the model.
By their very nature, companies are sociopaths-the bottom line is ALL that counts, nothing else. Companies are legal entities but have no conscience by defintion. So, I do not think this can be changed and we will always be banging on heads against this problem.
Judy
Lady Biker Florist
Well-Known Member
Perhaps Rio did not think ahead regarding the fact that many grocery stores are FTD members. How can Rio say no to selling Rio's to those grocery stores if they are in fact FTD members? Yet Rio says they will not sell to grocery stores. Is that correct or did I misunderstand somewhere along the way?
The idea of FTD florists codifying a rose brand leaves many of us who are reputable shops out of the picture. I guess if you think of it as a benefit for wiring OUT I can understand so you know who definitely will fill your order with quality roses, but on the incoming side it sucks. Does this mean FTD.COM will only be sending their orders to florists that codify Rio's? Don't preach to me about not making any money on ins so why do I care. I've preached it myself. That is not what this is about.
I sure hate to think that if I wire out an order to another FTD florist and they do not codify Rio's that I will get an inferior product. FTD would not support this right?
Perhaps I am reading way too much into this Rio codification thing.
The idea of FTD florists codifying a rose brand leaves many of us who are reputable shops out of the picture. I guess if you think of it as a benefit for wiring OUT I can understand so you know who definitely will fill your order with quality roses, but on the incoming side it sucks. Does this mean FTD.COM will only be sending their orders to florists that codify Rio's? Don't preach to me about not making any money on ins so why do I care. I've preached it myself. That is not what this is about.
I sure hate to think that if I wire out an order to another FTD florist and they do not codify Rio's that I will get an inferior product. FTD would not support this right?
Perhaps I am reading way too much into this Rio codification thing.
bill schodowski
Active Member
patty & others...
rio roses is not ftd. rio roses is not teleflora. there is nothing that exists at this time other than both wire services have allowed retail florists that buy rio roses on rwo (regular weekly order) to be identified in their directories. this will occur with the first directories of 2005...for both wire services.
neither ftd...nor teleflora will sell rio roses...or dictate the retailers that rio roses sell to.
rio roses will continue to sell their product exclusively to traditional retail florists....through traditional wholesale florists.
i can always be reached at [email protected].
have a great day!
bill schodowski
rio roses is not ftd. rio roses is not teleflora. there is nothing that exists at this time other than both wire services have allowed retail florists that buy rio roses on rwo (regular weekly order) to be identified in their directories. this will occur with the first directories of 2005...for both wire services.
neither ftd...nor teleflora will sell rio roses...or dictate the retailers that rio roses sell to.
rio roses will continue to sell their product exclusively to traditional retail florists....through traditional wholesale florists.
i can always be reached at [email protected].
have a great day!
bill schodowski
Bill: Can you also confirm that FTD.com will be selling RIO roses on their website? This was stated at a RIO meeting last week here in Canada.
RC in Dayton and Cincinnati
New Member
Paul said:
If Rio Roses is going to sell roses through FTD.COM, the florist community would be insane to support that!
Just an opinion of a successful florist. Take it, or leave it,
RC
BOSS
FlowerChat Administrator
That echo's the opinion of another successful Real FLorist too...MINE!RC in Dayton and Cincinnati said:
RC in Dayton and Cincinnati
New Member
Bill,
Can you also confirm that FTD.com will be selling RIO roses on their website?
We're waiting for your answer.
Can you also confirm that FTD.com will be selling RIO roses on their website?
We're waiting for your answer.
DO you think they would GIVE SOMETHING for FREE
I am also looking forward to that answer Bill? Is FTD.com going ot sell RIO ROSES?
If so you game plan was just shot down or should I say SHUT down By REAL FLORIST.
Everyone should realize that when a company or situation threatens FTD or Teleflora, they have to buy it so they can control it. I see it happening soon with RIO roses.
Luc
I am also looking forward to that answer Bill? Is FTD.com going ot sell RIO ROSES?
If so you game plan was just shot down or should I say SHUT down By REAL FLORIST.
Everyone should realize that when a company or situation threatens FTD or Teleflora, they have to buy it so they can control it. I see it happening soon with RIO roses.
Luc
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