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Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 57 Florists' Review has some advice on how you can put Huckabee's "fi nishing touch" plan into motion that is specifi c to your shop and your customers' needs. When customers come into your shop looking for a gift of fl owers or plants for someone's birthday or anniversary or graduation, or because someone's in the hospital, having a baby—whatever, it's up to you to suggest appropriate fl owers or plants for their needs. And that applies to the types of "fi nishing touches" you suggest for each purchase occasion. Our suggestion is that you curate a collection of add-on-sale items—"fi nishing touches"—that are specifi c to each purchase occasion, including holidays (there could be some crossover items, which would be a good way to control inventory and expenditures and to simplify things). We further recommend that you off er two or three "fi nishing touch" items for each purchase occasion—each at a diff erent price point (more than three options might overwhelm or confuse some customers and would take more time to present). Here, we provide suggestions for the types of items you might off er as your "fi nishing touches" for just a few occasions and holidays. Our list is by no means complete; it is intended to be a springboard to brainstorming with your staff about the types of items—and price points—that would be appealing to your specifi c clientele. NOTE: Our suggestions are in addition to the more traditional items mentioned earlier in this article— although those would be appropriate for any these occasions, as well. With the suggestions that follow, our goal is to help you get a bit more creative and unique with your off erings and to diff erentiate your store from competitors. Creating a Curated Collection of "Finishing Touches" Before we begin with specifi c occasions and holidays, we would like to address "fi nishing touches" for customers who purchase fl owering and foliage houseplants as gifts, which are appropriate for virtually any occasion and holiday. If you choose just the add-on-sales items, these sales should be easy. Our suggestions include: • plant-specifi c fertilizers and/or potting mixes • decorative self-watering globes and misters • pruners or other plant care or repotting tools • and, especially for orchids, succulents, ferns and palms, a small, charming care book specifi c to the type of plant (e.g., check out e Orchid Whisperer by Bruce Rogers and Essential Succulents: e Beginner's Guide by Ken Shelf ). NOTE: As a retail business owner, you should be able to purchase books wholesale, in quantity, from the publishers or their wholesale distributors. Now, moving on … e Beginner's Guide

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