The AmericanHort Board of Directors today announced that Michael V. Geary, CAE tendered his resignation as President & CEO. Geary is leaving to...
Ecuadorean Flower Farmers Eye Volcano
A volcano, which last erupted in 1877, has the attention of Ecuadorean flower growers. Employees of farms located southwest of Cotopaxi volcano were...
Industry Champion Tom Butler’s Legacy Honored
In honor of Tom Butler’s dedication and passion to the floral industry, Teleflora has established the “Tom Butler Floral Retailer of the Year”...
Out of Stock? How to Suggest Substitutions With Ease
We've all been there. A customer calls requesting an arrangement she saw online, but you don't have the exact flowers or containers pictured in your...
Be Careful How You Classify Workers
What exactly is an independent contractor? The government's new interpretation has several ramifications for floral business owners. The U.S....
3 Simple Rules For Better Phone Calls
In the duration of a phone call, there's ample room for error, such as starting the conversation with price instead of the card message or placing a...
Retailers Up Average Order Values with New Products
If you want to take your arrangements to the next level (read: a higher price point), the same old containers and accessories simply won't cut it....
Twenty-Seven and Counting: New Discount Drives Van Purchases
Reduced gas prices aren't the only things making SAF members smile this summer. Between the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram lineup and the FIAT 500L,...
Who Will Be Crowned Best in Show?
For growers entering SAF's 2015 Outstanding Varieties Competition, Sept. 9, the next few days will entail a whole lot of packing, prepping and...
Retailers Work on Comprehensive Holiday Business Plan
The Society of American Florists is tackling one of the potentially most lucrative — or disastrous — aspects of running a flower business, with...
SAF Elects New Leaders
SAF members have elected nine members to positions on its Retailers, Wholesalers and Growers Councils. New council members begin their terms at the...
Let Customers Linger a Little Before You Say Hello
How do you greet your customers? "How may I help you?" is friendly, but direct — a good choice for people who order over the phone and appreciate...
Floral Industry Gets Inside Look at 800-lb Gorilla Google
The Internet has leveled the playing field for small businesses, but getting in the game requires navigating around an 800-pound gorilla named...
As Chip Card Technology Rolls Out, ‘Liability Shift’ Deadline Approaches
An upcoming deadline involving new credit card technology and how credit card payments are processed is important for retail florists to know about...
Angry Customer? Imagine a Cute Kid
Here’s a simple strategy to keep your cool when dealing with an angry, flustered customer:Picture him or her as a small child, “happy and running on...