Macmillan Cancer Support hold the “Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning” this year on Friday 24th September.

Need to get motivated?  Would like more customers in your shop?  Well here’s your chance to promote your shop and help a worthy charity at the same time….Join many other eFlorist florists by taking part in this great event – there are already florists coming up with great ideas for their coffee morning.

For further information please visit the Macmillan website at http://coffee.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx .

Go and look at the forum:

click here Macmillan Coffee Morning where you can all chat to each other and share ideas!

Your community awaits – you just have to take part!

Sally, Kerry and Debbie decked out in red and white!

In the office today we have all waiting with baited breathe for this afternoon’s vital England game. To get in the mood we are all dressed up in red and white – well most of us; Paul’s wrapped in an Italian flag- guess where he’s from, and Brad our resident Aussie was going to dress in Slovenian costume - thankfully he hasn’t!

Let us know what you have been up to with promoting your business during this period or simply enjoying the World Cup with your customers!

Charlotte and her winning parasol!

In an earlier blog posted we reported on Charlotte Le Marquand who was entering the junior competition at Chelsea.  It is with great delight that we are able to report that Charlotte won a Silver medal!  So well done Charlotte and hopefully you will inspire lots of other young florists to take the plunge and start competing….

In July, your ‘Tributes’ package will arrive, ready to be positioned, pride of place (we hope!) in your shop. But, have you ever wondered how the team at eFlorist went about putting the ‘Tributes’ package together?Well, from start to finish it really was a team effort, every corner of the business has been involved at some stage or another, from Marketing, IT and Accounts through to you, our customers.  We’ve had some very willing and helpful eFlorist customers help us during the making of ‘Tributes’, after all, you, our florists, are the people using it. Your input has been invaluable!

It all began with some very important market research, finding out what it is you need in your shop to be able to support your funeral sales, particularly with regard to working with your Funeral Directors, price points, designs and colours down to how you would like the design book to look.  Susan Merritt, eFlorist’s Marketing Manager, went out and about and met up with you to gauge your opinion and get feedback.  Taking on board all of your comments we were then able to put together a comprehensive funeral package that was tailored to you and your needs.

Then came the fun part…the photo shoot!  Hidden away, for two weeks with our fantastic photographer Charlie, and our talented florists Jeannette Rawson, Helen Jamieson, Iain Benham, Tracy Rowbottom and Julie Amies-Carter, we shot the ‘Tributes’ range.  Incorporating the latest styles and trends and including many new funeral items not previously featured elsewhere all the hard work was well worth it, the designs really do look great and we know you will be as pleased as we are.

And so back to the office…with the skills of our in-house designer and a specialist creative agency, the ‘Tributes’ package slowly but surely came to life. This was a very exciting stage as you can really begin to visualise what the final package is going to look like and being able to show the different stages of design to the rest of eFlorist as opposed to telling them what it will look like is great!

Whilst our designers were working hard we spent time with our printers discussing the most logical way of printing and producing the ‘Tributes’ package.  Anyone would have thought pressing the ‘Print’ button was all you needed to do but trust us, there is so much more to it. Why is nothing simple?  The different parts of the ‘Tributes’ package took varying amounts of time to print so our creative designers had to make sure that the artwork was sent to the printers in a specified order.  With a bit or organisation and several phone calls back and forth ‘Tributes’ was finally complete!

And finally…we send ‘Tributes’ to you, our eFlorist PRO florists!

Once you have received Tributes do let us know what you think – it is really important that we receive your feedback!

EuroFlorist Group with its headquarters in Malmö Sweden have merged with eFlorist Group. The merger strengthens Euroflorist’s market leading position in Europe and consolidates the largest florist network outside North America.

When eFlorist re-branded from Teleflorist in October 2009 it launched the eFlorist.net portal and since then has experienced significant growth in all areas of its business. Following this merger the combined business will have operations in 12 countries, with more than 10,000 affiliated florists and a turnover close to £100m.

The shared experience and expertise, brought together as a result of this merger, will strengthen and support the future development of the combined business. Since launching its first consumer website, in 1995, EuroFlorist has pioneered the development of online flower sales in Europe and is now widely recognised for its visionary approach and expertise in this particular area. eFlorist in developing eFlorist.net has given any florist access to a sophisticated and innovative business tool, which helps them to run their businesses more successfully, as well as the opportunity to participate in an online community of florists.

“Bringing two strong companies together which share the same values and focus towards florists and consumers will be a great platform for continued growth. We recognize this as a great way of strengthening our mission – to help our florists, customers and consumers build, keep and develop relationships through flowers. We see a bright future ahead and this merger will further strengthen our florist network and online capabilities”, says Lars Höglund, CEO EuroFlorist Group.

Ian Brett, Managing Director of eFlorist, supports the positive spirit, “I’m extremely excited about this merger, as there is clearly so much synergy between our two businesses, our vision for the future, and the importance we both attribute to our florist partners. The commitment to generate as many orders as possible and distribute them to our florists remains as strong as ever.”

About EuroFlorist

EuroFlorist was founded in 1982 in Malmo, Sweden. The EuroFlorist Group is currently the market leader in worldwide flower delivery with over 10.000 affiliated florists. EuroFlorist is the leading independent company in Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the Netherlands. EuroFlorist launched its first website in 1995 and is part of Teleflor International Ltd, a global network with over 54.000 affiliated florists.

About eFlorist

eFlorist was established in 1947 with just three member florists. Since then it has grown to become one of the largest network of florists in the UK and Ireland. eFlorist is also part of Teleflor International.

For further information:

Ian Brett
Managing Director, eFlorist Group
Office: +44 1794 526460
Mobile: +44 7771 578926
E-mail: ian.brett@eflorist.co.uk
Website: www.eflorist.co.uk

Lars Höglund
CEO, EuroFlorist Group
Office: +46 (0)40 6024530
Mobile: +46 (0)733 632232
E-mail: lars.hoglund@euroflorist.com
Website: www.euroflorist.com

Dreading the fall in trade when the World Cup starts?

Don’t just sit there and wait for trade to pick up again, make the most of all those World Cup Widows left to their own devices… and enter our competition and WIN a digital camera!

So plan an event to get them together, a new design which they can treat themselves too, or even a workshop so they can get away from the TV…. Get THINKING!!!!!

All you need to do:

1. Put together on paper an idea to entice customers into your shop or to promote your business during World Cup (no more than 500 words).

2. Add any images/pictures (if you have any!)

3. Email your entry to sarah.clerke@eflorist.co.uk or send to Sarah Clerke, eFlorist, Unit 35 Romsey Industrial Estate, Greatbridge Road, Romsey, Hampshire  SO51 0HR

4. Make sure we receive your entry by Monday 21st June

5. Put into practise your marketing idea!

We will:

1. Choose the best three marketing ideas

2. Go and visit these three during June and feature them on the blog

3. Announce the winning entry on Friday July 9th in time for the World Cup Final!!!

Click on WORLDCUP COMPETITION to view the competition details.

If you have any queries, please contact sarah.clerke@eflorist.co.uk

Congratulations Christine!

Christine Hurst was just 19 when she set up her shop in Ipswich and the business is still going strong as it recently celebrated its 40th anniversary on May 24th. “It was a really fantastic day and we had a lot of people coming in and lots of cards sent to us as well” she said.  Every customer who came into the shop for the annivesary got a free bunch of flowers.

“I am so lucky to have lived and breathed a job I love.   The 40 years that I have been open I have had the backing of my family and wonderful staff.” Christine, who lives above the shop was inspired by her father to become a florist.  She had been watching him work with flowers in his nursery from a young age.  After completing a diploma in floristry and working in another florists for six months, her father found the perfect location for a new shop – exactly where she is located to this day!

There have been a number of famous customers over the years not least Sir Alf Ramsey – the last England World Cup Manager to win the world cup in 1966 – who was her first account customer and Sir Bobby Robson another regular.

With the World Cup looming, Christine is set to display the national flag and decorate the shop in red and white.   “We’re really hoping to get into the spirit of the World Cup” said Christine.

Well done Christine – it is a wonderful achievement.

Kate Bainbridge and Caroline Crabb with their Chelsea Medals

In soring heats two happy eFlorist florists found out Tuesday morning that they had both won medals at Chelsea!  Kate Bainbridge, owner of Simply Flowers in Devon won a Silver Gilt and Caroline Crabb of Fleurtations in Cornwall won a Silver.  This is a magnificent achievement for two florists who had never competed before, let alone gone to Chelsea!

Caroline's winning parasol - Silver Medal

Kate's Silver Gilt Parasol

Their designs, a “Fantasy Parasol” were part of the 13 on display in the marquee at Chelsea, and how beautiful and well crafted they were.

Having setup their displays at the weekend they spent Monday mingling with celebraties and royalty and enjoying the quiet of Chelsea before the general public arrived.

They will also get to talk to the assessors who will provide valuable feedback, should they decide to enter again – which I am sure they will!

So, for anyone else out there who would love to compete, but is a bit nervous, have ago – look out for competitions through the BFA and maybe next year it is you we will follow to Chelsea!

Well done to Caroline and Kate – it is a great achievement!

Charlotte and Alison from Flower Scene, Cornwall

Charlotte Le Marquand is only 21 years old, but her passion and brilliant floristry has won her a place in the Junior section at Chelsea.  Charlotte has been working at eFlorist Flower Scene in Launceston in Cornwall for 5 years where she started on a 1 day per week release scheme from school.  Having completed her level 2 and 3 at Bicton College she is finding it hard to believe that she is now off to Chelsea for the first time!

Charlotte’s boss, Alison Penno, is also attending Chelsea this year as part of the Cornwall and Devon Nafas team.

Winning the National Young Farmers competition at the Royal Cornwall Show in June 09, and then winning the National Competition have Charlotte the confidence to start competing.  Entering the BFA hub meeting for chelsea (for under 25′s) saw Charlotte winning a place for Chelsea.

Charlotte will be staging her exhibit, a Floral Fantasy Parasol on the Wednesday evening, so if you get a chance, go and support this young aspiring florist.  We wish you luck Charlotte!

The seminars will cover:

• Meeting your changing customer needs and lifestyles
• How florist businesses are creating new ideas and highly profitable markets
• Future trends in florist store design, merchandising, promotions and service
• How to reach and retain new profitable customers – new gifting opportunities
• Competing with the multiple retailers – how independant florists can differentiate
• Environment – going the extra green mile
• Emerging florist segments – farm shops, convenience, home delivery and care homes
• What’s working online – four ways to get better value from online marketing
• How is the florist market expected to perform over the next 5 years?
• Industry profit drivers – getting the most from innovation, pricing and supply chain
• How your customers are changing their buying behaviour
• The future shape of the florist industry – new competition and consolidation

The principal speaker at the seminar is Paul Drabble; Paul has spent over twenty years in the Retail Industry creating new business growth strategies for companies worldwide.

The seminars will be held at selected regonal locations, 1pm – 4pm including a business lunch:

Seminar Registration – South West

• 1 June 2010  Basepoint Business Centre Exeter
• 2 June 2010  Thornbury Golf Club Bristol
• 3 June 2010  Wiltshire Golf and Country Club Swindon
• 8 June 2010  Ilford Golf and Country Club Bournemouth
• 9 July  2010  Cheltenham Park Hotel Cheltenham 

 Seminar Registration South East and Central

• 7 June 2010 RAF Club Piccadilly London
• 9 June 2010 Basepoint Business Centre Southampton
• 10 June 2010 Basepoint Business Centre Crawley
• 14 June 2010 Basepoint Business Centre Basingstoke
• 15 June 2010 Basepoint Business Centre Eastcote London
• 16 June 2010 Basepoint Business Centre Tilbury London
• 17 June 2010 Basepoint Business Centre Canterbury
• 7 July 2010 Barcelo Daventry Hotel Daventry
• 8 July 2010 Oxford Hotel Oxford

Seminar Registration – Midlands

• 7 July 2010 Barcelo Daventry Hotel Daventry
• 9 July 2010 Cheltenham Park Hotel Cheltenham
• 12 July 2010 Basepoint Business Centre Bromsgrove
• 13 July 2010 Shropshire Golf and Country Club Telford
• 14 July 2010 Horsley Lodge Derby

 Seminar Registration – North

• 14 September 2010 Ashton Lea Golf and Country Club Preston
• 15 September 2010 Shrigley Hall South Manchester
• 16 September 2010 Manor Golf and Country Club Bradford
• 21 September 2010 Redworth Hall Durham
• 22 September 2010 Majestic Hotel Harrogate

 Seminar Registration – East and Anglia

• 5 October 2010 Weston Park Norwich
• 6 October 2010 Basepoint Business Centre Ipswich
• 7 October 2010 Bourn Golf and Country Club Cambridge

Each seminar costs £39.00 plus VAT.

Further information can be obtained from the BFA website or contacting Paul directly on 01453 872096