What is owning a flower shop like day to day?

People often picture a flower shop as quiet and pretty. The reality is early mornings, wet hands and a lot of small decisions about stock that will not last. If you are thinking of buying one, it helps to know what an ordinary week asks of the owner, away from the holiday rush, so you can tell whether the rhythm suits you.

Buying and conditioning stock

The day often starts at the wholesaler or with a delivery from one. Flowers need trimming, cleaning and a drink of fresh water before they go in the cooler. Choosing what to buy means guessing the week’s orders, weather and events. Ask the seller who does the buying now and how they decide quantities.

Orders from every direction

Orders come from walk-in customers, phone calls, the website and relay services that pass orders between florists. Each channel needs someone to take the details, confirm delivery information and enter payment. Ask the seller how orders are tracked and how errors are caught, because a missed card message or address matters to a customer on a sad or happy day.

Sympathy and event work

Funeral and wedding work are planned further ahead and take longer to design and deliver. They depend on relationships with funeral homes, venues and planners. See the wedding bookings page for that side. Ask who holds those relationships today and whether they would continue with a new owner.

Deliveries, cooler and design

Deliveries run through the day, either with your own vehicle or a driver. Meanwhile someone watches the cooler and moves older stock to sell first. Many owners design arrangements themselves, while others lead a small team. Find out who designs now, because the answer shapes your hours.