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54 March | 2023 Business Natarajan also notes how the POS recipe system has a counter. When a floral designer is tasked with creating an all-inclusive arrangement—for example, something for $200—a good florist point-of-sale system will, with input from the designer, count the flowers and foliages, container, miscellaneous items (ribbon, etc.) and maintain a running total of costs to ensure the designer does not exceed the design's price. A good POS system will also calculate a fee for design labor. Fiannaca says that, for floral designers, the system is as easy to use as a calculator and that management can easily change any of the prices of the individual components, when desired. "Gone are the days of updating separate price lists on different computers, printed books or multiple websites/POS systems," he enthuses. Knowing where the floral product is to be delivered can play heavily in the size and scope of the arrangement. If it is to be delivered around the block, a lower delivery fee is incurred by the customer ; however, if the product is being delivered across town for a specific early morning function, for example, the delivery fee is higher. A good florist POS system can calculate such fees. DRIVING PROFIT As are all companies, retail florists are in business to make money, and one way to do that is through appropriate delivery charges. "Many florists charge a delivery fee based on ZIP Code," Natarajan notes. "While acceptable, it's not a sure way of covering your actual delivery costs." Not all ZIP Codes are created equal; some are larger areas and farther away from a shop than others. And that is why the GotFlowers Florist POS System provides a different way to calculate the delivery fee. Natarajan describes it as being based on the distance from the shop and the time of delivery (rush hour, for example), to create more accurate delivery fees that ensure profitability on this service. e system has an initial minimum delivery fee—for example, a circular area within three miles of the shop for $10. It can be more or less; the amounts are set by the flower shop and the POS system provider. For every concentric mile farther away from the shop, the system developer will build a price or a per-mile fee. At Hilly Fields Florist & Gifts in Tallahassee, Fla., owner Janet Davis and operations manager David Mayne, agree with Natarajan about the best way to charge for deliveries. "No two ZIP Codes are identical, and they can vary in size and distance," they explain. "By switching from ZIP Code-based delivery fees to distance-based delivery fees, we are able to ensure profitability on each delivery. With higher gas prices and inflationary costs associated with labor, the distance-based fees have been a boon." Natarajan assures that any POS system that offers a distance-based delivery system rather than a ZIP Code-based system will make extra money on every order for the retailer. For retail flower shops looking to simplify the way they do business and to utilize cost-saving measures and money-making opportunities, they need only to seek out a flower-shop-specific POS system that will also help increase the opportunity for customer satisfaction. A win-win all the way around. "By switching from ZIP Code-based delivery fees to distance-based delivery fees, we are able to ensure profitability on each delivery."

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