How do I sell a florist business?

A buyer looking at a florist wants to see where the money comes from and whether the shop can carry on without you. Much of that can be prepared in advance. Start a few months before you plan to list, and do the work in the order below. It also makes the later conversations with buyers calmer.

Records that show the shape of the year

Flower shops have strong peaks, so a single total hides the story. Prepare sales by month and by source: walk-in, accounts, weddings and events, and online or wire orders. Show how holidays compare with ordinary weeks. Ask your accountant to make sure the books and the point-of-sale reports tell the same story.

Suppliers and wire accounts

List your wholesalers, growers, delivery partners and any wire or order-relay services, with how each account is set up. Some accounts are tied to the shop’s name or number, and some to you personally. Ask your lawyer how they can pass to a buyer, and tell suppliers at a sensible time so that the introduction is smooth.

The phone number and online channel

Customers find florists by search and by phone. Make sure the shop’s number, website, listings and social accounts belong to the business, not to an employee or a personal account, so they can move with the sale. A buyer will ask who holds the logins.

Timing and the designer handover

Think about when a buyer would want to take over. Closing just before a major holiday is stressful for everyone. If you are the main designer, offer a handover where you work alongside the buyer and the staff. Read the guide to selling a coffee shop for how another small retail seller prepares.