Every time the graduation season comes nearer, flower shops must stock up their supplies for incoming bulk orders from both schools and individual customers. It is important to get ready before this season starts so that you may have enough flowers and accessories to use on your orders. You don’t want to get shorthanded as this event is one of the most profitable in the whole year besides Valentine’s Day. Here are a few tips and reminders to get you and your flower shop ready for the bloom boom.
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Order your blooms from suppliers ahead of time
Suppliers also prepare for such high demand seasons. They cater to a lot of flower shops in a specific area that’s why it is important to send your orders in advance to avoid cancellation and scarcity. During the Graduation season, the bestselling blooms include sunflowers, orchid leis, and roses together with fillers like baby’s breath and greenery as well. Also make sure to stock up on hardware supplies like floral wire, ribbons, and specialty papers/deco poly meshes. Graduation ceremonies of different schools do not happen in one day that’s why it is important that you have deliveries coming in every day during this season.
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If you have a website, announce Graduation promos and discount codes for early orders
Most flower shops nowadays use social media and technology to be able to get closer to more customers in farther areas. This way, you can update everyone with new blooms, announcements, and promos that may entice them to purchase earlier. Plan out possible discounts that won’t hurt the income flow. You may also create a special bouquet for graduation and have the customers use discount codes upon their checkout. This is a great way to get customers even before the day of graduation.
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Prearrange flowers, orient the staff, and make sure everyone is aligned with protocols
On the start of this season, make sure to have all similar flowers prearranged for display and for cold storage to avoid confusion and misuse of flowers. Talk to the staff members and orient them on how the order process must happen to avoid miscommunication. Let them ask questions for possible scenarios that may arise during the sale. It is best if you also prepare sample bouquets and display them upfront so that the customers may have an actual glimpse of the design choices.
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If you have a delivery service, plan out the different routes to be catered and all measures to be taken by the rider
Most flower shops have already applied delivery service as a way of easier and faster sale. On the website, customers may purchase and have the flowers delivered to them on the day itself. However, due to the huge number of customers that will be walking in, the delivery service might take longer than usual. It is best to inform the customers from the website earlier to set their expectations. The rider must also be well aware on how to handle the flowers properly without damaging them and causing unnecessary returns.
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Estimate the supplies well and compare it with how you forecast the sale
Like what was mentioned earlier, graduation ceremonies do not happen in one day. That’s why you must properly estimate the supplies you will order and base it from your forecast on the sale projections that day. Not all flowers may be stored for too long that’s why it’s better if you stock up on longer lasting blooms to avoid waste. You may also ask advice from suppliers on which blooms to order best during this season.
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Make Hawaiian leis a day before the big sale
Hawaiian leis are a huge bestseller during the graduation season. As a matter of fact, most people prefer to give this as it is handier and easier to carry around compared to a bouquet. You may ask your staff to create a few hundred leis before the big day to easily sell to customers and lessen their wait time. Hawaiian leis are very easy to make. You just need a nylon chord or maybe a twine and a needle to pierce through the orchid blooms. Just stack the blooms together until you reach the other end. Tie it up and the lei is done and ready to be stored. Designs can also be applied to Hawaiian leis by interchanging different colors or creating patterns using different flowers.
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Show gratitude to customers and invite them to purchase again soon
In a business, it’s not enough to just make a sale. You need to also show your appreciation when someone buys flowers from your shop. Together with the bouquet or flower set, you can include a “Thank You” card which can also show the name of the card and the contact details of your flower shop. In this way, you may express your gratitude to the customer but also give them a calling card for future transactions. This is a good marketing technique that most businesses also do.
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Store excess flowers for future use to avoid waste
Excess flowers after a store day are common but uncommon to big events like graduations. Nevertheless, if you have excess flowers that were not used or purchased, you may check their quality to know if they can still be sold. Avoid using flowers with damage as it will gravely affect the satisfaction of your customers. Some flowers may still be stored in cold storage but others not. Remove the soiled petals to show the unsoiled ones inside. Don’t fear to throw away flowers that cannot be used anymore in a bouquet.
Graduations are indeed one of the best events for flower shops in terms of income. This is the time where they can really up their game by stocking up, prearranging, and getting ready for a big bulk of customers. Just make sure to follow the guidelines above to avoid a waste of money and resources. Cater one customer at a time and do not hurry to make their orders. Keep in mind that these flowers will be given to special people, hence, they need to be as well.
