Making a shop look full on less money!
It’s that rubbish time of the year when sales are traditionally down, footfall is low, there are no big peaks to lighten the pain and you are just ticking over.
All good reasons to cut back on buying and keep a check on costs.
Trouble is you don’t want to look empty or give off the wrong vibe to those who do come in/walk past. So how can you cut costs without looking empty? How can you make the shop look busy and full without spending a fortune?
We share some of our top tricks.
Move the shop around!
Not only will it create a new look and keep customers interested but if you are clever and have moveable fittings you can reduce the floor space so there’s less to fill. Take the quiet time to really think about the shop layout and make changes now so you can hone them for when times are busier plus the shop gets a really good going over and clean. It is also the perfect opportunity to go inspirational shopping and cruise other retailers - not just florists - to see how they do it. However we cannot be responsible for any impulse purchases you may make!!
Use empty space cleverly.
Less is more and ‘empty space’ is actually no bad thing – and that applies to both the shop and your floristry! Space can show off a product more effectively than cramming everything together so if you are going for a move round use it as a chance to display products better. When it comes to hand tieds why not experiments with the looser style like this stunner. OK you may not use expensive blooms but the same principles apply - less stems, just as much impact and more profit! It can take some getting used to but use quiet times to practice so it becomes second nature.
Make a thing of sundries.
If you sell add ons and gifts make a bigger display of these. Use furniture (maybe borrowed from local trader) to create interesting vignettes/settings of products that look artful and fill space. Intersperse with fresh flowers to show vases ‘in use’ and chances are you could sell both!
Be a unicorn - buy gyp!
You may hate the stuff but a lot of consumers love it and it’s a great way to fill space with clouds of fluffy stuff that dries well so can still be used. These pics were taken on the Malima stand at the Aalsmeer show last year (they're a fab Ecuadorian grower) but think about other flowers that can air dry if they don’t sell because that whole dried craze is still popular.
Invest in plants!
They may need maintenance – like watering regularly – and they’ll need to be kept warmish but treat them right and they will last for ages and are often a much cheaper way of filling space than cut flowers. A few specimen plants can take up oodles of space and may well sell, especially as you can deliver, while a simple display of small, ready to go ones – ideally in pots so you can achieve a double whammy sale – will play to the continuing houseplant craze.
Pull to the front ... buy little and often ... and ALWAYS hunt out a deal!
If you have a tiered display of flowers always pull them to the front so the vase looks fuller rather than letting them splay out. Intersperse displays with made up Ready To Go designs and again it makes better use of the space. Make sure you are constantly checking for special offers and bargains and keep talking with your wholesalers as to what's coming through. Don't get fixated by a standard shopping list ... instead duck, dive and be bold about having different flowers. You can deffo make them look gorgeous and you could well save money as well.
Work ‘in’ the shop
If your shop units aren't fixed or you have a spare workbench, fill floor space with a worktable in sales area. You may feel a bit exposed but not only does it make the area look fuller, customers love to see florists at work plus it shows that it’s not easy peasy.
Invite guest in
If you have local artisans or shops that sell something different but complimentary, offer some free display space. You could maybe even consider a percentage on sales. You may have to be careful if it is foodstuffs or alcohol but might be worth looking at.
Got your own hot tips for making space look fuller for less? Share with us by email
