FAQs and Contacts
Why a day for the Florist industry?
Talk to most people and they think being a florist is wafting around in pretty frocks or chinos playing with flowers whilst wearing a flowery pinny or – heaven forfend – a tabard! Oh, how untrue!!
They definitely don’t play with flowers … it is bally hard work ... and physically far more demanding that many realise … you try lugging heavy boxes and water filled buckets never mind standing on your feet all day!
Dress wise, if they do wear a uniform you are more likely to see high style aprons with the funkiest tool belts (we use a lot of very sharp knives) or just practical jeans and tops whilst footwear is more likely to be Doc Martens or the latest Crocs...
… florists were wearing them long before they became a thing!!
And when it comes to the supply side there are millions of people working across the globe to make the industry happen and in a myriad of positive ways that amaze and surprise people as much as the flowers and plants themselves
Which is why we didn’t just want to share the stories behind the petal and leaves throughout the chain but show people that flowers are the most powerful purchase they can make whatever the occasion and that local florists are an endangered species who play a vital role in every community.
The 2024 National Florist Day is the start of a global movement to share Flower Power in all its glory!
The industry at a glance
- The global flower industry is worth approximately £64billion from an estimated 650,000 hectares of growing space.
- The three biggest areas of production are in Holland, Colombia and Kenya
- UK grown flowers account for around 15% of flowers sold in the UK – British Flowers Week is taking place at the same time as National Florist Day.
- UK retail sales of flowers and plants is estimated to be worth £2.4 billion with independent florists accounting for around 25% of sales, predominantly in the gift and special occasion categories.
- The UK has the highest level of supermarket flower sales in the world.
- Like all small independent businesses, local independent florists have faced huge challenges in the last few years – particularly in relation to rising cost of goods and running costs.
- There are some 5.5k traditional (and not so traditional!) florist shops in the UK & Ireland, and approximately 3k Studios and home-based businesses.
- Flowers don’t just look good; they are good for the heart and mind. Research shows that having flowers in the home can lift spirits and provide a boost to endorphin levels whilst plants are proven to be natural air purifiers and improve workplace productivity.
- It takes around seven years to achieve degree level qualifications although not every florist goes to college. Many are ‘bench trained’ but will still expect to spend at least three years learning their skills which is an ongoing process.
- The oldest florist shop is based in Goole, the youngest florist shop owner (probably!) operates in Kings Lynn and the quirkiest might just be Dolly, the Piaggio, in Worsley, Manchester.
Who started National Florist Day?
It was a chance email which was then taken and turned into reality by Caroline Marshall-Foster, owner of Florist Magazine and Good Florist Guide. Having worked in the industry all her life and travelled the world to see floristry and flowers in all their guises, she is considered one of the most popular and well-connected communicators in the industry.
The daughter of a florist, she is as fascinated by the industry today as she was on her first visit to Covent Garden Market at the tender age of four and she instinctively cuts her broccoli stems at an angle because being a florist you know it is best!
Contact us
The quickest way to get hold of the National Florist Day team is to email hello@nationalfloristday.co.uk or you can call 07956 547695 and if we don’t answer straight away leave a message and we’ll get back to you.
