8 Principles of Floral Design Some supermarkets contain complete fl oral operations within their building site. Fresh fl owers, gift lines, and wire services options are available in larger supermarket fl oral departments. This type of store hires fl oral designers to create the wide spectrum of designs typically found in a stand-alone fl ower shop. When multiple supermarket locations are involved, a central design facility is used. This is similar to large-scale retail fl oral companies with multiple locations. Orders are taken at multiple store locations and primarily produced off-site in the central design facility. Florists with varied skills are needed at both types of locations. Limited-service fl ower shops focus on one specialty service. A fl orist located in a hospital is an example of this type of fl ower shop. The hospital fl orist specializes in cheerful arrangements for hospital patients. Although the shop may stock other items, such as stuffed animals, toys, and gifts, it does not provide a full range of fl oral services. These fl ower shops typically do not offer wire services or delivery outside of their location. They sell to a specifi c, targeted clientele. A bucket shop has an even narrower focus. It only provides cut fl owers singly (by the stem) or in bunches. Premade fl oral bouquets of cut fl owers for cash-and-carry sales are common. Monobotanical bunches (one type of fl ower only) or mixed fl owers are bundled, then wrapped in decorative sleeves and placed in display buckets for immediate selection. The items are designed to sell quickly and be carried away by customers. Supermarkets, grocery stores, mass merchandisers, and even temporary retail locations (pop-up shops) can easily display these types of bundles within their existing fl oor display space along with their regular merchandise. Specialty shops are fl ower shops that specialize in one particular aspect of the fl oriculture industry. Examples include wedding fl orists and caterers. Because specialty shops offer career opportunities unique to their individual focus, they will be addressed later in this chapter. This section concentrates on careers that are common to most retail fl ower shops. Owner or Manager If you are creative and enjoy fl owers and working with your hands, you may want to consider becoming a fl orist and owning or managing your own full-service retail fl ower shop, Figure 1-6. The term fl orist is used for any business that sells fl owers, plants, and related supplies, but it also refers to the owners, managers, or employees of these shops. Day-to-day duties of a fl orist include: • Helping customers choose the right fl owers for a particular occasion. • Creating bouquets and personalized designs for individual customers. • Selecting fl owers according to freshness, seasonality, and appearance for decoration and displays. • Conditioning fl owers on arrival and periodically to ensure freshness. • Creating eye-catching displays for merchandise. • Advising customers on fl ower and plant care. • Taking fl ower orders by phone and arranging delivery. • Administrative tasks, such as bookkeeping. • Installing fl oral displays at special functions and events. Pro Tip Before starting your own floral business, research real estate in the area in which you are interested. The location you choose is important and may help your business flourish or make you close your doors. Pro Tip Create a name for your flower shop that describes your specialty. For instance, names for an eco-friendly florist could include the word green. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.