Online florist is a blooming success (From The Bolton News)

Online florist is a blooming success

10:58am Thursday 13th August 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

A BOLTON-based online florist business is blossoming big style!

Direct2Florist has achieved a 300 per cent year on year growth and has more than justified its reputation as one of the rising stars of the floristry industry.

The Farnworth-based firm was launched two years ago by Simon Stirling and his father, John, via their website, Direct2Florist.com.

Traditionally, those who want to send flowers use a relay service and pay a commission which can be up to 20 or 30 per cent of the flowers’ value.

The Direct2Florist website signs up individual florists for a subscription fee. It connects them directly with customers who pay only the florist’s prices in the destination town, plus a flat rate administration fee which is the same regardless of where in the world the flowers are being sent.

Proof of how the business is taking off is in the fact that more and more florists from across the globe are joining the 1,000-plus strong network every week. That, in turn, has led to website visitor traffic growing at around 300 per cent a year.

Direct2Florist guarantees that the chosen florist will receive the full amount paid for the flowers.

Using the latest technology, the website allows cons-umers to see pictures of the floral gift arrange-ments created by the network of local florists. They can then select which shop delivers the flowers.

Apart from a significant market in the UK, the Bolton company’s list of florist shops include those in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Simon Stirling said: “The year on year growth figure is based on the volume of orders. Florists around the world are contacting us and the website has really mushroomed.

“And our site passes on the full value of the flowers to the florist.”

He added: “Sending flowers is one of those things that you just can’t replace. You can’t download flowers — they’ve got to be delivered by somebody.”

Another significant move is that Direct2Florist has recruited London-based PR firm Right Lines Creative to help raise its profile in national and international media.

• Print
• Email
• Share