CYBER flower power is proving to be lucrative for a Bolton family who are taking their brand of floristry across the world.
Simon Stirling and his father, John, both of Farnworth, are taking the flower world by storm with their website Direct2Florist.com
Traditionally, people who want to send flowers use a relay service, such as Interflora, and pay a commission, which can be up to 20 or 30 per cent of the flower's value.
The Direct2Florist website signs up individual florists to the site for a subscription fee and connects them directly with customers who pay only the florist's prices in the destination town, plus a flat rate administration fee of £3.50, regardless of where in the world the flowers are to be sent.
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The website has signed up 1,000 florists in 10 countries and aims to have 3,000 within two years. The major markets are the UK and America, where a partnership with US firm Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier Association is paying dividends.
The father-and-son team came up with the idea for the website while running their family business, Octagon Flowers, in Bolton town centre, which has been operating for 20 years.
They initially joined Interflora before deciding to set up their own service to bypass it.
Mr Stirling said: "We joined Interflora, but it wasn't working because of the extra expense.
"Last year we launched a new website that puts members of the public in direct contact with the nearest florists - this has now gone global."
In March, Mr Stirling travelled to Tampa, Florida, to speak about the website to 220 American florists.
He said: "The site has been huge in America. People are really impressed with the simplicity of the business model. Florists pay a subscription and can choose their own prices, plus download pictures of their shop.
"Customers can star rate the florist which encourages them to provide a good service."
Other growing markets are New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Canada, Ireland and Spain.
They employ a sales representative in Australia and one in New Zealand, aiming to sign up more florists to the service.
Mr Stirling said they were beginning to challenge an 80-year-old business model with their simple idea, which is unique in providing an open, global market place for florists.
He said: "We are aiming to double our florists in the next couple of years.
"This is a business that's going to be worth an absolute fortune."
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