California florists are an "endangered species"

According to Hoy Carman, professor emeritus at The Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics at UC Davis, the retail florist trade in California is an “endangered species”.  A recent report put out by Carman details the loss of both florist and nurseries in California, and mentions the trades are in for some "rather basic structural changes" going forward.

The report states that the number of florists peaked in 2008 with 6,427 before dropping 25% to 4,798 in 2011. Total sales by California florists plunged nearly two-thirds in just three years while the sales by nurseries also dropped by 25%, with a partial recovery in 2010 and 2011.

Interestingly although sales by California florists dropped sharply during the recession, the change in farm sales of floral products “was much less dramatic” according to Carman. He attributes that to the rise of supermarkets and other outlets selling floral products.

Just as we have talked about before, traditional garden centers and florists will continue to see competition from other less traditional sources.  Soon, most florists and many garden shops will be like the local book store, nowhere to be found.

7 ways to show your cheapness this Valentines Day!

Boston.com posted an article titled, "7 Ways to Save on Flowers". (If you cannot access the article from the link, go here and click the top story)It seems The Boston Globe only knows independent florists as places to go and bicker about price. The only mention of independent florist is this. "Your local florist may also do business online at competitive prices. Read customers' online reviews and scour coupon sites such as retailmenot.com, couponshack.com and coupons.com for discounts. And don't fall for throw-ins like chocolates and stuffed animals - those just add extra costs and create the illusion of a deal." Kindness, it's just an illusion!

Well, where do I go to get a deal on flowers? The Globe knows. Costco and the local grocery store! This from the post, "Check grocery stores, whose floral departments may be bigger than you realized. For example, last year Costco was offering three dozen long-stemmed red roses in a vase with baby's breath online for $99.99, and the company's warehouse stores were selling a dozen long-stemmed roses for $14.99." Online ordering is mentioned twice in the article.

How about a little Valentine love for your local florist trying to compete against this kind of publicity? On top of it all Boston.com tells us, "Giving your loved one a single long-stemmed rose is a powerful statement of commitment. And you can put the $75 or so that you save toward dinner for two -- or another gift." Gee Boston.com, couldn't they save even  more money and take that $75 and spend it at the Costco food service court, instead of some overpriced restaurant? Paying $75 for a dinner for two is not an illusion!