Thinking about opening their own business, many women make a choice in favor of a flower store. But this type of income has many pitfalls, because flowers - perishable goods. If you love floristry and are not afraid of difficulties, we offer you a step-by-step plan on how to open a flower store from scratch.
Peculiarities of flower business
There are 3 main features of the flower business:
- Flowers cannot be stored for a long time. Professional florists have tricks that will extend the life of cut plants from a few days to 1-2 weeks, and for some types of flowers - up to 3-4 weeks. But in any case, over time, flowers will begin to lose their marketable appearance and wilt.
- This is a very seasonal business. About half of all annual sales are made by holidays - September 1 and March 8, as well as May 9, February 14 and a few other professional holidays. During the rest of the year, demand is relatively stable: at this time, flowers are mostly given for birthdays, dates, weddings and spontaneously - without a reason.
- For a flower store is very important to choose the right place. If on International Women's Day or Knowledge Day flowers can be sold anywhere, then the rest of the time the demand will be only in passable places - near subway stations, large supermarkets, on the main streets.
Business format
There are several options for organizing a flower business:
- A large store or flower salon with an area of 50 square meters or more;
- Kiosk, street point under a canopy 10-15 square meters. meters;
- Department in a shopping center or business center from 15 square meters. meters;
- Online Store.
It is also important to analyze your target audience and their price expectations. If you are opening a location in a place where there are solvent customers, you can launch it in the format of a flower boutique.
Registration
To register a sole proprietorship, you need to submit an application and select OKVED with code 52.48.32: "Retail sale of flowers and other plants, seeds and fertilizers". After sole proprietorship you need to buy a cash register, register it with the tax authorities and obtain authorization documents.
In addition to the registration papers, you will need to collect the following packet of documents:
- vending permit;
- SES report;
- authorization from the fire department;
- bills of lading.
The taxation system is simplified. If you have several founders, or you want to open a chain of flower stores at once, it is better to register an LLC.
Your flower store should have complaint book and proposals, a price list with a stamp, a cash register and a rental agreement for the premises. The staff must have sanitary books.
Room
A very important moment when opening a flower store is the choice of premises. The choice of location depends on the format of your establishment and your finances.
To open a business selling flowers with minimal investment you can organize your online store on Vkontakte! This idea is becoming increasingly popular for entrepreneurs who don't want to pay to rent a space and choose to sell goods at home online.
To have a constant flow of customers, choose a crowded location that is convenient for pedestrians and drivers. It is preferable to rent a space in the city center, but pay attention to your competitors. If there are already flower selling points around, it will be difficult for you to compete. Sometimes it makes sense to consider dormitory areas, but only if there is no competition and there is solvent demand. 
Flower store equipment
When the premises are found, you need to make repairs there and buy the necessary equipment. You'll need:
- showcase,
- flower racks
- shelves, stands,
- counter,
- desk and chair
- computer,
- climate control system,
- vases, as well as other containers for storing flowers.
The interior of the salon should not "clutter" the flowers. Usually flower salons have a light tiled floor and lots of glass and mirrors, bright chandeliers.
Assortment of the flower store
It is important for the entrepreneur to understand the popular types of flowers and be able to choose plants for sale. It is desirable that the assortment includes not only cut flowers flowers (which are sold piece by piece), but also ready-made bouquets, potted plants, flowers in glycerinThe bouquet decorations and wrapping materials will be used. Umbrella, ferns and conifer paws will do. You also need packaging film, ribbons, foil, baskets for flowers. Additionally, you can sell greeting cards, toys, pots, coasters, and any other gift items.
As for cut flowers, you should always have several types available:
roses (white, red, yellow, pink),
- carnations,
- chrysanthemums,
- orchids,
- lilies,
- daisies,
- irises,
- hyacinths,
- seasonal flowers (tulips, daffodils, asters).
Other, much more exotic color options are also possible. It all depends on your target audience.
On the eve of holidays, supplies should increase, as demand increases many times over (especially before holidays such as March 8, Knowledge Day and Teacher's Day).
Keep in mind that almost all flowers like cold. A prerequisite for opening a store will be the installation of a special refrigeration system.
Suppliers
Wholesale suppliers are easy to find on the Internet. It is worth familiarizing yourself with reviews and recommendations on forums. Ordering and payment for goods takes place in advance, on normal days - at least 2 weeks in advance, on pre-holiday days - several months in advance. All additional points are negotiated with each particular supplier.
Most often beginners work with local suppliers. But if you have a luxury store and plan to sell exotic flowers, look at foreign suppliers.
Flower store staff
To open a flower store will need at least 2 sellers-florists who will work in shifts. In this area are especially valued employees who know about flowers and are able to make original floral compositions, design beautiful bouquets. Hire professionals with experience in floristry and trade: so it will be much easier to open a business. Salaries for salespeople in flower store usually piecework, i.e. a minimum salary is set and the rest depends on sales.
You will also need a cleaner and an accountant. You don't have to hire them, but use services that are paid by the hour.
Flower store advertisement
If the salon is located in a good location, you can do without spending a lot of money on advertising: your clients will be people passing by. The same applies to outlets located in shopping centers. Brightly displayed and handing out flyers in the first few days will be enough to attract customers. Further everything will depend on the assortment and skill of florists.
Ways to promote a flower store:
- Promotion on the Internet (website and social networks, contextual and tartan advertising). This is a very promising option, especially if you aim to work with large clients and are looking for orders for decorating weddings, anniversaries and other celebrations. Such one-off orders can bring the store the lion's share of revenue.
- Outdoor advertising.
- Bonus and discount system, issue of savings cards.
- Offering a flower courier delivery service.
No one is going to drive to the other side of town for flowers, so all ways of advertising a flower store are geared towards people who live or work in that location.
Costs of opening a flower store
The level of expenses depends on the format of the business, the number and types of flowers, the location of the store. The above list of expenses is very approximate. You need to calculate the exact figures yourself in your business plan:
Rent - from 50,000 rubles.
Repair and purchase of equipment - from 250,000 rubles.
Business registration and purchase of a cash register - 50,000 rubles.
first purchase of flowers - from 200,000 rubles.
Advertising - from 30,000 rubles.
Total: from 580,000 rubles.
A small kiosk can be opened for about half as much. The same applies to a small outlet in a shopping center (where the most significant cost will be rent).
Monthly expenses: rent, wages and taxes, utilities, purchase of fresh flowers - this is another 300 000 - 400 000 rubles for a small salon.
Revenues of a flower store
Successful salons earn several million roubles a year. The exact figures depend on many factors. The average markup on a flower is from 70% to 120%. That is, if the wholesale price of a rose is 30-40 rubles, it is realistic to sell it for 70-100 rubles.
During the holidays, a store's revenue can increase tenfold. A flower store can generate additional income:
- on the design of the floral arrangements. This service adds at least another 50 % to the cost of the flowers. True, part of this amount will go to the florist,
- on the sale of related products,
- on decorating weddings and other events,
- by courier
- on organizing master classes.
An alternative option for quickly opening a flower store is a franchise. You will learn more about flower store franchising in this video:
First of all, make a business plan, assess all the pros and cons of the flower business. Selling flowers - not a simple matter, but with a competent approach, such a store can bring you a high income.
It will be worth a read:
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