Life seems like a constant series of detours
Life seems like a constant series of detours
Even though the official 2015 Pantone Color of the Year is marsala, up here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes (actually 11,842 lakes) it definitely should be the color “traffic-cone orange.” The amount of roadwork going on and detours posted is unprecedented. No matter where I’ve attempted to drive this summer, the reality became “you can’t get there from here.” It’s almost comical if it weren’t so darned frustrating.
However, it seems like an appropriate object lesson for the floral industry. How do you get to where you want to go? With the constant parade of holidays and special events that require you to bring more and more to the bottom line, punctuated by roadblocks and detours with competition, product, weather and shipping — what’s the answer to all of the challenges?
This edition focuses on one solution to the dilemma of trying to do more with the same resources. We take a look at floral hard goods — the products that add extra value without a lot of extra work, and bring more dollars to your till. Several industry professionals unpack some of the trends in hard goods including balloons, ribbon, imports and bling.
Plus, Patricia Lilly from WF&FSA explains the important role that wholesale florists play in the supermarket floral supply chain. And with the holiday season on the horizon, we also offer some floral and greens ideas that can add extra sales to your department, along with our usual coverage other relevant industry news.
Advertising executive George Lois once said, “Creativity can solve almost any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality, overcomes everything.” Do you think that includes roadwork detours?
Next month we’ll feature the bouquet sector and I hope to meet many of you at the PMA Fresh Summit in Atlanta.
Richard Lutes is the floral editor and floral sales manager of The Produce News. He can be contacted at 763/595-9559 or [email protected].
