Valentines Day – Did the Earth Move?

According to Joy Knight, many Florists managed to trade well this Valentines Day despite the event falling on a Sunday rather than the favoured working week day, and a rather unwelcome interruption to Christchurch trading

Joy reports “VALENTINES DAY 2016 will be memorable this year in CHRISTCHURCH for the 5.7 quake which rocked the city at 1-13pm, emptying malls and closing them at peak trading time. Florists were allowed to return and fix their deliveries and pickups for a very minimal time before malls were closed for trading devastating the Valentines Day sales for some, while standalone shops continued to trade until orders were completed. Consumers generally stopped shopping, rushing home to family or to clean up once again in Christchurch’s Eastern suburbs, Sumner City and Burwood areas, it was quite a strong shake felt in Christchurch.”

According to Joy the nations florists once again pulled out all stops to decorate their shops and prepare online websites promoting  Valentines Day 2016. The busiest day of the year on the Florist’s calendar, it appears nationally it was brisk trading.

Valentine’s Day 2016 fell on Sunday 14^th and it was recognised as being a bit quieter than a Monday to Friday Valentine’s Day with the city’ office workers not at work, our valentines appeared to make for the picnic at the beach or their favourite café, the weather being perfect it for a romantic day out, red roses were as always in demand (still the recognised flower for this romantic day) and the quality appeared to be good across the industry.

Joy reports that the florist shops offered good quality value and service as always. Experienced city florists recognised the possibility of a quieter day falling on a Sunday, and bought accordingly.

“Many large bouquets were produced with well-priced assorted varieties of flowers and a single tall rose (A ‘blocks bunch’) The skill and dedication to detail was excellent all round. “

Vital to florists turnover as a key trading day, “Valentine’s Day has to be well organized to retain both the consumer desire to purchase and have the best flowers delivered. The word on the street was the price of flowers were reasonable giving the florist retailer the opportunity to offer good value with both top quality red roses and an abundance of seasonal  flowers of other varieties.” Says Joy.