Are we right to be selling flowers?
Dateline: 28.3.20 I’ve written this blog a zillion times over because I know I am going to cheese some people off. However I also know there are others who share my thoughts. What's more, whilst I won't ever let a difference of opinion affect a friendship, I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t say what I felt at the moment.
You see in some ways I absolutely love that so many businesses – and not just flowers – moved online in an attempt to keep trading/solvent/sane. In other ways I hate it with a vengeance. Indeed, seeing so many suppliers and retailers rushing to use the online route has actually made me sad and, at times incredibly angry.
Not just because it goes against the core Government advice of staying at home and removing any additional pressure on the NHS; be it through CV19 or another accident caused by being out and about, but because it has caused great in-fighting on social media and some people are clearly just being incredibly opportunist.
In the case of flowers - obviously the sector I know best - some of the other things I hear going on are pretty shameful; like circumnavigating normal supply routes to get flowers in, attempting to hijack FD contracts because the incumbent florist has decided to fully shut, trying to switch buyers by accusing their usual wholesaler of being uncaring, guilt tripping people into opening when they actually don't want to - or can't because of kids/health etc, encouraging home workers to think they can replace rent and rate paying florists who have observed the headline rules etc etc
I also wonder, when Government said “Online retail is open and encouraged”, if they really expected every small retailer to suddenly become an Amazon look-alike or had really considered the ramifications of just how many people would still be needed in the supply chain; all of whom would be put at risk. Doesn’t matter how squeaky clean the end delivery is from the shop, it’s what goes on before that to get the product to the shop that counts as well.
I suspect, given the speed Governments were working at, they thought “OK that will cover the supermarkets, Ocado, Amazon if we really must and a few others.” The rational being that by removing so many shops from the equation, people wouldn’t so much be forced to stay home but have less incentive to go out and thus protect the people who really matter.
Trouble is what actually happened is that suddenly a load of shops from all areas of retail deemed themselves on-line operators. In the UK flower sector, and less than 72 hours into the lock down, whilst the majority of the UK retail and wholesale flower chain had closed because they felt it right, others were using the online trading rule - and the BFA’s extensive promotion of it – to actively encourage buying and delivery; I have even seen one florist say she’s printed out the BFA guidelines to show the police if they stop her.
In many ways I totally get it.
• Growers desperately need sales – flowers don’t stop growing and if we want flowers after this is all over we need to keep them strong.
• There are many wholesale and retail businesses who are scared witless for their survival – a search of Companies House shows just how vulnerable some of them are.
• The damage this is causing to relays is huge and even though some of them have alternative delivery options, florists are still their key route to market.
• I totally understand that funeral flowers are important although I am increasingly hearing funerals may not carry on as we know them.
• Like many I find it galling to see companies like Bloom & Wild, Freddie’s et al still operating, supermarkets still having some flowers (dramatically reduced though) yet florists and their suppliers are seemingly stuffed.
• I too need a strong and vibrant industry; like everyone who reads my column, my revenue streams are totally dependent on it and having seen every PR campaign postponed I feel the financial pain as much as anyone.
• And of course I know flowers and plants are good for you! Purleeze!! I was reporting that information when NASA first announced it back in 1989; sad soul that I am I think I have the original paper report!
Thing is, however good the reasons, flowers and plants are not classed as essential in the UK. Yes they are incredibly uplifting, yes they are soothers of the soul and comfort provider at times of sadness but an Essential?
Hmmm even I, a woman who would - if it kept her alive - seep sap not blood, has to say no; not just at the moment and a view that Bloom & Wild, a company I would call a true online operator as it has no retail premises, openly admits in their founders blog – see the link below.
Which is why not only do I think there has been an unseemly haste amongst too many in the UK flower sector to try and get sales, however small, but, if I had my way, I’d - like New Zealand and some states in the USA have - ban all online trading other than food and meds until every nurse and carer has proper PPE, until everyone who can be has been tested, until people who need food get it, until, to be blunt, we have flattened the curve.
Yes it would be hugely painful for those not selling in either category (although I have seen more than one enterprising florist moving into fruit and veg boxes including Floom) but however painful it would be both fairer and safer.
It is highly unlikely to happen; economic and commercial pressures alone will - and already are - forcing the situation as people get more desperate - even those who been paid £10k - but I will stick to my guns on this one even though I know I will probably get shot down in flames.
You see not only do I have to think of my eldest (NHS worker) and the rest of my family, my father’s care team (who were issued with a Government pass to travel a fortnight ago and I don’t know of any florist who has one of those) and my friends but I actually like Mandeep my DPD driver too … I want to see him again when this is all over.
https://www.bloomandwild.com/covid-19 "As an online business we’re fortunate that for the moment we’re able - and are being encouraged - to continue operating. While I know that flowers aren't a necessity, I also know that for many people they’re an uplifting way to connect with others when we can’t always be there in person. And I hope we can help to provide moments of comfort by continuing our service for as long as it remains permitted by the Government and safe to do so.
Caroline Marshall-Foster
Editor
