Florists: 3 Things You Need To Do Before Valentine’s Day Now!

Valentine’s Day is, without a doubt, one of the most significant holidays in the floral industry. For florists, it’s a whirlwind of chaos, creativity, and logistics. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newbie preparing for your first Valentine’s rush, thoughtful planning can make all the difference.

Here are 3 things you need to do before Valentine’s Day

Use Past Data to Guide Your Planning

For experienced florists, your past Valentine’s Day data is a goldmine of insights. Take a close look at last year’s orders, sales, and challenges. How many arrangements did you sell? What were your best-sellers? How did your delivery schedule hold up? This information will help you anticipate demand and fine-tune your approach for this year.

If you’re new to the floral world, welcome to the second biggest day of the year! Valentine’s Day will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Get ready for a chaotic, fast-paced opportunity to create great profits, reach new customers, and build lasting customer relationships.

Plan Within Your Capacity

While it’s tempting to go all out, remember to plan for what you and your team can realistically handle. Valentine’s Day typically spans only a day or, at most, a weekend. To ensure success, focus on these key areas:

1. Inventory and Design Bandwidth

• Know Your Limits: How many arrangements can you and your team create within this time frame?
• Design Complexity: Consider how intricate your designs are and how many ingredients they require. Simpler designs can save time and boost productivity.

2. Delivery Logistics

• Timing is Everything: Many customers prefer their flowers delivered to their workplaces or offices before 2-3pm, which creates a tighter delivery window.
• Driver Availability: The number of drivers you have determines how many deliveries you can complete. Many florists hire seasonal drivers to help with the workload of delivering in mass.

3. Team Capacity

• Designers: How many designers are on your team, and how long does it take them to complete different arrangements? Do you need to hire more designers this year?
• Delivery Areas: Take into account your delivery zones and the time required for each route. Is there any part of the city you want to stay away from that day? 

Start Preparing Now

Valentine’s Day success comes down to logistical preparation and clear boundaries. Order the right amount of flowers, design within your means, and organize your delivery schedule based on the resources you have. And remember you’re in this business to make a profit so plan accordingly!

By reflecting on past experiences and planning for what’s ahead, you’re setting your business up for a successful Valentine’s Day that’ll create new customers and set the tone for the rest of the year.