Trends in Getting Gift Sales Flourishing at Florists

Flower shop proprietors and operators want to give customers a range of options for every special occasion. Rather than limit their inventory to flowers and plants, many florists offer a selection of gifts to complement, or be sold in place of, a floral arrangement.

“Some people want a gift that will last longer than the flowers, or they want something that will remind them of the floral gift, or some people may be buying for a person with allergies,” said Kimberlee Grob , owner and lead designer at Locker’s Florist in West Allis, Wis. “Balloons, chocolates, and stuffed animals are all classic accompaniments for flowers for different occasions. Generally, we carry things that are natural. Since we’re a flower shop, we try to keep it to things which are either easy to understand or common to send with flowers. Our best-selling gift items include some self-care items from a local woman-owned company. Lip balms, room sprays, and rosewater mists have been good sellers. Also packages for new moms. Plush is a good add-on, as well as things like chocolates.”

Gifts and snack bouquets make a great alternative for men, and recipients with allergies or other sensitivities. And a small business, florists welcome the opportunity to work with other artisans and gift vendors in their community. Brenna Tiller , manager of Strawberry Fields Flowers and Finds in Richmond, Va., said their unique operation has been a fixture in their neighborhood for years. “We really like to be involved with our community. The way our shop works—we have the gift section up front and the design table in the back. We’re out here making flowers and engaging with customers. We like to be part of the neighborhood and surrounded by pretty things,” she said.

The store sees a lot of foot traffic, with passersby and regulars stopping in for a chat or to browse their inventory. “It would feel like we were lost without the gift shop. Last year we were closed and just did the flowers and deliveries. It felt a little strange,” she admitted. “For our gifts, we like to focus more on local and regional artisans. We feature a lot of Richmond-based artists and those from the Atlantic region. We try to carry as many American-made gifts as possible. We have a lot of candles, pottery, cards, dog and cat gifts, baby gifts, children’s gifts. Also tea towels and bath salts. We’ll include the gifts in our flower arrangements, as well. We carry plants and succulents and have a potting station where customers can pot their own plants.” Sydney Hale Candles are one of the store’s top selling items: “We sell tons of them. People sometimes come in just for the candles. They donate a portion of their proceeds to a dog and cat rescue. We’re a dog-friendly shop so we love that