When a shop had a "look", and does not do "traditional/old fashioned"

[Dazeal]

TY RWK and Palms and the rest of you for great posts.

Florigene

Yeah Mark those and the chartreuse ones would be the ones I'd try, they are pretty sweet. Again, I am not against carns and Brad said it best as why I have them on hold right now.

Palms... 1000 words or less? This will be tough. I'll try.

Florists who play the price game: The loyalty of florists' customers who are all about price or the commodity is to the dollar. Or in your case, the pound. - With this said, grocery stores, 1800flowers, etc.. are also your competition.

A niched florist: The loyalty of florists' customers who are all about the product will keep coming to a florist who offer something special, which is opposite than commodity. - With that said, my customer will keep coming to me because I offer something unique.

Service is a must obviously, but, in the example above I am comparing price/product.

Soooo you might ask, ok, so? Answer my question. - In an economic downturn, which customer above do you want on your side? I am sure boutique/niche florists are down in 2008, but I bet they aren't as much % wise down as a traditional florists. My rich customers are still spending money, but instead of $100, it's $90. My customers who come in for our $15 posies, are either not buying flowers right now, or at the grocery store.

The sad thing is a lot of florists are either too deep in their ditch or blind to see. It's so important to always ask ourselves, how are we moving forward? Think about this daily.

If red necks and sweet grannys want carns, it is good business to give them carns.

My philosophy is different. When someone has always had hamburger, that's all they'll ask for. Introduce them to prime rib and give them a choice. Because the age of information is still pretty new and most florists are still stuck in the 80s (not saying anyone here), people don't know they have cool new choices. I know several red necks or grannies who, after introduced to a protea, love them. When was the last time any of you heard a customer say: Cool what is that? I want one. Evolve.

I just dont get why people dont like traditional anymore, everything has it's place dont you think??

It's not that traditional is bad, just bad for business in this new age of information. (in my area - not sure about England) From what I have seen, guess who does traditional and beats your price by half? Grocery stores. - And also... traditional designs have been branded so well, their look as become a commodity. Customers want a gift to be special, not a commodity. So when they see commodity flowers, they might pass you by.

As far as customer perceptions..........I find that for the most part - the "higher-end and higher-end wannabe" customers are the ones that always holler "No Carnations"

I agree and I think what people mean when they tell us that is not some much no carnations, but No Traditional.

I should have stated this better - it is not that I have any problem doing a simple, traditional, basic boring basket at all. If my customer wants that, then I am obligated to serve my customer by doing that......it is just that I personally don't like them.

We will not do roundy moundys. Again, not because we're snobs, but that design is our number one form of advertising and we don't brand ourselves as a traditional florist... and our credibility to be unique is how I pay the bills.

Heather Naaaa I had PJ bottoms on and don't tell my wife I told you our secret. Our kids have 6 fingers and give great foot messages!

 

[Joe Mioux]

I also have a few customers who choose carnations as their signature flower.

One guy is a lawyer and every time he sends a funeral arrangement it is a dozen red carnations.

Another guy, comes in on an irregular basis and buys a dozen mixed carns, wrapped for his wife. He has been doing this for over 25 years.

He always says, "Joe, you (meaning guys in general) need to keep the wives happy." He always laughs, as we all do.

joe

 

[Dazeal]

Yeah good point Joe. This topic is so hard to say anyone is right, since the US is SOooo huge and we all have different situations, locations and markets.

 

[marigold]

I admit. I was a carnation snob. But, only after I loved them, back in the
day, I loved the clove scent(as joe) and the lasted so long.
I tired of them because they were used everywhere and used in the same
way.
I worked for a shop where we kept the cooler full of dozens arranged...
like a rose dozen and half dozen arranged. I think I remember the
half doz's retailing for $7.50 and we sold the heck out of them.

I am bringing them back into the shop slowly. I love love love the
floragene and deep burgundy and green. I use them down low for
depth.

I fan a dozen or two White Carnations,in an tall oblong "hot dog" vase , where all the blooms are the same height and very tight together, and do a "bamboo get-up" at the top of the vase to give it balance.
Hot number, you really have to look twice to see that they are carnations
that are actually, just white.

I make carnation "balls" in oasis and scatter them on my main table.
The mini balls are great and people really wonder what kind of flower
is that?

i think we should all be challenged with a dozen carnations design contest........

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

This post from Carol was on Shannon's thread about depth (I loved that thread BTW)



Carol,

I love this story!! This is way off topic, but I have to comment, so I started a new thread.

I really admire owners that have a "look" to all of their designs that leave their shop. They are true artists and have a passion for flowers and floral design. Their shops reputation... in terms of design and style is their highest priority.

I also think it is an enormous challenge to be able to do this and remain a thriving and profitable flower shop. Depending on the market I think it can be done, but not in most markets.

Why do shops limit their customer base? I feel that's what many of you are doing. If a customer walks into a shop and LOVES carnations, loves a traditional look, do those of you not accept the order OR change your customer's mind? I am not saying that is what Carol is doing. It appears that from that day on she has tried to understand what the customer and/or recipient truly wants, even if it is the total opposite arrangement that she would want to put her shop's name on. I know I feel that way. It is our job to make flowers that appeal to both the customer and recipient. If they want me to spray a rose, blue I will. I think it's hideous, but they love it. If they choose flowers that I think will look horrible together, I will tactfully suggest an alternative, but if they say no, we will make their hideous combo... as best we can.

When someone asks me my favorite flower... I never know what to say b/c I have so many; orchids, lilies, peonies, amaryllis, gerber, tulips, freesia, iris... the list goes on and on. When I want to bring flower home (not for a party, just for color or fun) - I usually grab the most fun color carns in my novelty box, or mix them up and put them with some cool foliages and maybe a complimentary filler. I am constantly wowed by the variety and new variations. They last forever look fabulous and if I use a cool ceramic vase, I can forget to change that water for days!

Why do florist hate carnations? What do you suggest for that customer that says... "I would like a colorful, showy funeral basket for my great aunt, who was 90 and very a very traditional lady, but my budget is $50. What would you suggest?"

well Heather I would suggest a very traditional design.

We all know how I love crazy/ unusual designs, but I've said it before, I can rock the traditional too.

Those people who love the traditional are like my mom. My mom does not get Hitomish stuff what so ever, But I love it. We go round and round on what's "good" by the way.

However Hitomi does use carns, so does J (for all the J lovers out there)

Any good designer should be able and willing to use carns, IF that's what the customer wants. I always say I will never get so pretentious that I will refuse to use carns.

But Hitomi carn arrangements and my moms carn arrangements would be worlds apart.

Hitomis would be inspiring to me, and my moms would be well designed and traditional. And both would be good.

I will say that if a customer orders a nice bright mix designers choice, we do not include carns. Not unless they want them.

Funny story. My new designers HATE carns. hate them, wont use them, they think they are garbage.
So I tricked them today....

I got in Green trick dianthus today. First time I've ever seen it. And first time for them as well. They thought it was so awesome, "Oh my god, It's so cool" They said.

"Oh yeah, well it's in the same family as carnations!!" I say

"Nuu-uhh" they say

"yep, I just got you to say you like carnations!!" One got a big kick out of it, the other didn't! Then later in the day when I saw the one girl using it in a design, I showed her gypsy dianthus, let her in on that too!

 

[marigold]

I got in Green trick dianthus today. First time I've ever seen it. And first time for them as well. They thought it was so awesome, "Oh my god, It's so cool"

Ok, Shannon, where'd you get green trick? you have to share.
I love the looks of them!
http://www.floraholland.com/nl/OverFloraHolland/Pers/2008\Pages\NieuwDianthusbarbatusGreen

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

HeatherTuckey,

Let's say, I just opened a new flower shop right next to your shop.

Your shop has been established for ages, blessed with a large number of local clients, including funeral homes, catering houses, and many corporate accounts. My shop would have none of those. Your shop has every operational advantage, in marketing and purchasing. My shop would be in disadvantage in every aspect in day-to-day operation.

Do you think that my shop would thrive by doing the same as your shop? Or, wouldn't you become more nervous, if my shop started doing some guerrilla tactics against your shop, by giving a different choice to your existing customers?

Goldie, You'd be nuts to put up a shop next to a very successful shop, all they'd have to do is copy what you were doing as well as what they were doing, and you'd be otta there in a flash!

Secondly, how'd you get so much casino cash?????????

 

[sklepikova]

could anybody give me defenition of a contemporary/non-traditional design, please....??

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Yep,

The short and simple definition of contemporary is "Anything that is popular NOW"

 

[RWK]

Most any of the artisitic designs you have done in the AIFD subgroup would classify as contemporary/ non-tradtional design.

 

[sklepikova]

weeell, Shannon..... if it is something that is popular now then why so many florists complain that they can't sell something contemporary because customers prefer "old-fashioned"............hmmmm............tricky-tricky.... ;0)

 

[CHR]

Goldie, You'd be nuts to put up a shop next to a very successful shop, all they'd have to do is copy what you were doing as well as what they were doing, and you'd be otta there in a flash!

Not necessarily...

40 years ago or so, Chris Conroy opened his own stores directly across or beside some of the most popular shops in Santa Monica & West LA. He had a different angle - an open air bucket shop with loose stems, lower prices and longer business hours.

I'm sure many of those competitor owners scoffed at the way he ran his business.

At one point, the operation had more than 80 stores including franchises with the average store grossing $650K in the early 1980's.

The industry has evolved since those days, but most traditional florists still have their flowers behind glass and adhere to traditional hours and mark-ups. Don't be so sure old owners are willing to copy the new guy. More likely, they'll just tell themselves the new guy is nuts and won't last long.....

 

[Eric S]

Well let me ask this.

Do we have a tradional look to our arrangements or do we have a unique look.

You guys be the judge and I tell you if I am successfull or not because of our arrangements look.

 

[marigold]

Well let me ask this.

Do we have a tradional look to our arrangements or do we have a unique look.

You guys be the judge and I tell you if I am successfull or not because of our arrangements look.

I think you have a traditonal look with a unique twist.
And I think you are probably very sucessful.

 

[HeatherTuckey]

Not necessarily...

40 years ago or so, Chris Conroy opened his own stores directly across or beside some of the most popular shops in Santa Monica & West LA. He had a different angle - an open air bucket shop with loose stems, lower prices and longer business hours.

I'm sure many of those competitor owners scoffed at the way he ran his business.

At one point, the operation had more than 80 stores including franchises with the average store grossing $650K in the early 1980's.

The industry has evolved since those days, but most traditional florists still have their flowers behind glass and adhere to traditional hours and mark-ups. Don't be so sure old owners are willing to copy the new guy. More likely, they'll just tell themselves the new guy is nuts and won't last long.....

I agree with you both that a high end / boutique store with their own look can be very successful, but in very limited areas... either downtown, trendy areas, prestigious high income areas, etc.

Not the low to middle class Philadelphia suburbs, when you are only 10%-15% walk in. That's a very hard business model for flower shops that are primarily phone biz.

You all make good points though about being successful with a shops niche, regardless of the competition... those with a more traditional business model.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Not necessarily...

40 years ago or so, Chris Conroy opened his own stores directly across or beside some of the most popular shops in Santa Monica & West LA. He had a different angle - an open air bucket shop with loose stems, lower prices and longer business hours.

I'm sure many of those competitor owners scoffed at the way he ran his business.

At one point, the operation had more than 80 stores including franchises with the average store grossing $650K in the early 1980's.

The industry has evolved since those days, but most traditional florists still have their flowers behind glass and adhere to traditional hours and mark-ups. Don't be so sure old owners are willing to copy the new guy. More likely, they'll just tell themselves the new guy is nuts and won't last long.....

well, that's my point. A smart florist would do the exact same thing the new guy was doing, PLUS what they already did.

But I also understand your point that a lot are resistant to conform. I am not, ever.
I like evolution.

side note, back in the late 80's early 90's at the shop I worked for we quit sending FTD orders to Conroys, we would get complaint after complaint, not sure why though.

 

[lori042499]

I love carns, the color the texture the smell...They are a great flower...

FTD ruined carns...when people hear of carns they thing of the FTD roundy moundy basket with carns, mums, daisies and statice....they definately don't think of a high style with paved carns at the bottom.

I especially cannot stand a bride who doesn't want carns...used as background in deep you can get some wonderful color that just is not available any other way and then he texture they impart is just beautiful when use up close to each other...

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

I love carns, the color the texture the smell...They are a great flower...

FTD ruined carns...when people hear of carns they thing of the FTD roundy moundy basket with carns, mums, daisies and statice....they definately don't think of a high style with paved carns at the bottom.

I especially cannot stand a bride who doesn't want carns...used as background in deep you can get some wonderful color that just is not available any other way and then he texture they impart is just beautiful when use up close to each other...

But some people still want that and think it's wonderful and I'm happy to oblige.

Hey I want to know what you guys think my design style is....
So let me know!

 

[RWK]

Shannon - I don't think that we as designers have a particular "style" per se.......nor should we. It is my contention that we should be flexible enough and skilled enough to create all types, styles, facets, of designs. HOWEVER, I do think that we can have favorite styles.......styles that we enjoy more than others.

Judging by the work you have shown....both in the AIFD group....your photo gallery.....and in response to threads of discussion......I would say that your favorite styling of design would be "Forma-liner"

AIFD definition of Forma Linear - ( as close as I can get without having my book handy ) - A study in contrasting lines and textural contrast.

For me........ALthough I can execute most any style of design.......some are more difficult than others........my personal favorite style would be "creative naturalism" I like to use mosses, stones, barks, etc.....and arrange flowers and plants how they grow in nature.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Shannon - I don't think that we as designers have a particular "style" per se.......nor should we. It is my contention that we should be flexible enough and skilled enough to create all types, styles, facets, of designs. HOWEVER, I do think that we can have favorite styles.......styles that we enjoy more than others.

Judging by the work you have shown....both in the AIFD group....your photo gallery.....and in response to threads of discussion......I would say that your favorite styling of design would be "Forma-liner"

AIFD definition of Forma Linear - ( as close as I can get without having my book handy ) - A study in contrasting lines and textural contrast.

For me........ALthough I can execute most any style of design.......some are more difficult than others........my personal favorite style would be "creative naturalism" I like to use mosses, stones, barks, etc.....and arrange flowers and plants how they grow in nature.

That's the kind of answer I was looking for!