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Business 56 July | 2021 56 July | 2021 Floral design by Saco Sarkissian; Petals LA; Glendale, Calif. at just doesn't cut it anymore in the world of Uber Eats, DoorDash and Postmates. Consumers expect faster delivery options everywhere they go, and they are willing to pay for it. In a recent consumer survey, close to one-third (30 percent) of respondents said they would pay more for same-day deliveries. e survey also indicates that many consumers are open to new delivery technologies, with 45 percent of respondents saying they are open to seeing drones used for last-mile delivery. We have been joking about flower delivery via drones for a few years now, but the fact is that the technology is evolving rapidly, and it will be only a matter of time before it becomes a viable option for small retailers. Whether by drone or sidewalk robots, autonomous delivery options are here to stay for last-mile delivery. Whole Foods Market, owned by Amazon, is now offering free two-hour delivery in many major markets nationwide, and the service is not limited to just food items. We tested it ourselves in May by sending a wonderful cake and flowers for a co-worker's birthday. e delivery completed without a hitch, and the recipient was quite pleased with the product, both the food and the flowers. It is only a matter of time before Whole Foods gets better at this and starts offering gift cards and even gift wrapping, in many cases, for a small fee. Don't underestimate the power of major retailers such as grocery chains to get better and better at "hyper" local delivery services. People are demanding it, and major retailers are investing in it big time. 6 Flowers Are Having Even More Impact Than Normal " You better have a really good website," White emphasizes. "People are more comfortable shopping online, and they're searching for local florists because many are hyper-sensitive to supporting local retailers. I am also seeing a greater appreciation for fresh flowers than before the pandemic; people are now using them as a regular mode of communication and to convey emotions to a greater extent than ever before." A recent study supports this trend observed by White, the results of which show that 56 percent of consumers are actively supporting neighborhood stores or buying more locally sourced products, with 79 percent and 84 percent, respectively, planning to continue this behavior into the longer term. 7 Trade Shows Are Back On Most of the flower trade shows and conventions that were canceled last year are now stacking up for the fall and starting to overlap, in some cases. As we go to press, the situation in Bogotá, Colombia (home to the biennial Proflora flower trade show, currently scheduled for Oct. 7-9) is touch and go because Colombia is experiencing active lockdowns in a third pandemic wave. In Amsterdam, Netherlands, though, (site of the International Floriculture & Horticulture Trade Fair [IFTF], scheduled for Nov. 3-5), all restrictions for vaccinated travelers from the United States have been lifted. 8 QR (Quick Response) Codes Are Everywhere While used in a limited capacity for many years, we are now seeing many flower shops using QR codes on enclosure cards, to allow consumers to pull up care instructions for fresh flowers and plants. ey provide a great way for you to promote your brand to the recipients of your products and engage them on a digital level.

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