Cringing every time you see a gas station? You're not alone.

As the price of gas continues to climb, florists across the country are reconsidering how to keep delivery costs in line. And yet, according to some florists, the situation is not without its silver lining — or practical solutions.

"This crisis should make us all work smarter," says Art Conforti of Beneva Flowers in Sarasota, Fla. Conforti is managing high gas prices on multiple fronts, including through collaborative efforts with other florists.

"In our case, we go to our neighboring town once a day. If a delivery is requested later, instead of saying no, we simply wire the order to our preferred shop," he says. "Shops that are on the borderline of your delivery area do not have to necessarily be viewed as a competitor... If we reciprocate, the numbers work out, efficiency improves as does your service."

According to SAF's online Gasoline Survey of retail florists, over the past year, florists have been dealing with the increase in fuel costs in a variety of ways (florists could give multiple responses). Coordinated delivery schedules/making fewer trips were the solution for 63 percent of respondents, while 58 percent increased delivery fees on all deliveries. Calling customers before making deliveries or asking for permission to leave orders each garnered 48 percent of survey responses.

Look for more on how florists, wholesalers and growers are dealing with high fuel costs — and the repercussions of those increases across the industry — in future issues of E-Brief and Floral Management. Share your story by contacting mwestbrook@safnow.org.

--Mary Westbrook
mwestbrook@safnow.org

 

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