How do I assess a florist’s cooler capacity and flower waste?
See whether the cooler comfortably holds a busy week’s stock, and check its condition and service records. Then ask how much product is thrown out, how the florist tracks it, and whether the waste figures match the purchasing records on file.
The cooler is the heart of a florist’s business. Open it and look: is it clean, cold and organized, and does stock have room to breathe? Ask how it copes before major holidays, when the shop buys heavily. A cooler that is always crowded may limit what the shop can sell, and one that is half empty may suggest the shop is not buying what it needs.
Then check the machine itself. Ask for the age, installation date, repair and cleaning history, and who services it. Look for signs of strain: ice buildup, loud compressors, uneven temperatures. An equipment appraiser or refrigeration technician can give you a view on remaining life. Ask whether it is owned or leased, because that changes what you are buying.
Finally, take on waste. Ask how the shop records flowers that are discarded, and what the seller believes is normal. Compare purchases, sales and recorded waste over several periods to see if they fit together. Large gaps may suggest poor tracking, shrinkage or buying habits that can be improved. Your accountant can show you the ratios that help you judge it, and what a normal level of loss looks like for a shop like this one.
Key takeaways
- Inspect the cooler’s condition, cleanliness and layout during a busy period.
- Ask for service records and confirm who owns the equipment.
- Compare purchases, sales and recorded waste over several periods.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentEquipment valuation: How to do it
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
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