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Difference Between a Florist, Flower Shop and Grocery Store That Sells Flowers

In the value chain of the retail industry, specifically within the floristry sector that flower shops belong to, several players also engage in the sale of flowers and other related merchandise.

This goes to show that having a proper understanding of the players in the floristry sector of the retail industry will help you compete effectively as the owner of a flower shop.

Who is a Florist?

A florist is a professional in the value chain of the floristry industry that specializes in the art of floral design and arrangement.

Florists are known to work with various types of fresh, dried, and artificial flowers to create beautiful bouquets, centerpieces, wreaths, and other floral displays for a wide range of occasions and events.

One quality that makes florists stand out is that they have a keen eye for color, texture, and design aesthetics, allowing them to arrange flowers in visually appealing and meaningful ways that suit the occasion or the customer’s preferences.

Although most florists operate their own flower shops, it is not uncommon to find florists working in flower stores, garden centers, event planning companies, and other related establishments.

Apart from the fact that florists are known for creating floral arrangements, florists who are experienced in the industry may also provide valuable advice and recommendations to customers regarding flower selection, care, and appropriate arrangements for specific events or sentiments.

These set of florists may work closely with clients to understand their needs and preferences, crafting custom designs to convey emotions, celebrate special moments, and enhance the overall atmosphere of weddings, funerals, birthdays, anniversaries, and other significant occasions.

What is a Flower Shop?

A flower shop is a retail outlet that sells different types and species of freshly cut flowers, flower accessories, products, and ornamental plants.

When you visit a flower shop, you will find them selling fresh flowers, floral arrangements, bouquets, potted plants, flowering bulbs, vases, flower food, greeting cards, balloons, and gift baskets.

Some of the places where you can easily find flower shops are shopping malls, city centers, neighborhoods with high foot traffic, and near event venues such as wedding chapels or funeral homes, online marketplaces, and along busy streets with a concentration of retail businesses.

Over and above, flower shops play important roles in our society hence the global cut flowers market is estimated at USD 36.4 billion in 2022. The industry is even projected to reach USD 45.5 billion by 2027, recording a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period.

What is a Grocery Store That Sells Flowers?

Grocery stores are known to sell food and household supplies. But generally, it is not out of place to find grocery stores selling flowers. When you find a grocery store selling flowers, they usually have limited flowers and accessories in their shop.

Plus, most of them do not offer any additional services that flower shops are known to offer because they usually do not have a florist under their payroll.

The fact that grocery stores also sell flowers and flower accessories means that they are some of the competitors you will face when you open your flower shop hence you must consider them when mapping out your marketing strategy.

Over and above, you cannot ignore the fact that the grocery industry is indeed large. Available data based on the latest research shows that the global Food and Grocery Retail market size was valued at USD 11650.0 million in 2022 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.1% during the forecast period, reaching USD 13990.0 million by 2028.