Florists Review e-newsletter

TABLETOP WREATH Whether hung on a door or laid horizontally atop a table, wreaths will always be stylish for Christmas. This tabletop version, by Leanne Kesler, AIFD, PFCI, makes a stunning centerpiece. Click here to watch the how-to video.

CONNECTICUT FLORIST CREATES A “MANNEQUIN CHALLENGE” VIDEO City Line Florist in Trumbull, Conn., has posted a 40-second video to Facebook with the caption, “Take time … to stop and smell the roses!” In the video, staff members stand frozen in the showroom, design room, and display and walk-in coolers. Click here to view City Line Florist’s “mannequin challenge” video.

FTD ANNOUNCES A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP After eight years as FTD’s president and CEO, Robert Apatoff is stepping  down. Christopher W. Shean, one of FTD’s directors, is the interim president and CEO while FTD’s board of directors conducts a formal executive search for a permanent replacement for Mr. Apatoff. Click here to read more

CONSUMERS DISAPPROVE OF STORES BEING OPEN ON THANKSGIVING A new survey of 2,000 adults by Morning Consult shows that 59 percent of consumers disapprove of stores being open on Thanksgiving for holiday shopping and that 48 percent of consumers are more likely to visit a store on Black Friday if the store does not open early on Thanksgiving. Click here to discover more survey results.

INDEPENDENT RETAILERS HAVE TO WORK TO ATTRACT EARLY HOLIDAY SHOPPERS TO THEIR STORES New research by Fit Small Business reveals: •52 percent of consumers plan to shop during the weekend following Thanksgiving. •50 percent of them plan to support local businesses. •However, 54 percent of consumers have never heard of Small Business Saturday and may be unaware of the deals and types of merchandise and services available at independent businesses. Click here to view all of this study’s findings.

HOLIDAY SALES EXPECTED TO INCREASE 3.6 PERCENT National Retail Federation (NRF) expects retail sales in November and December (excluding autos, gas and restaurants) to increase a solid 3.6 percent, to $655.8 billion. Online sales are forecast to increase between 7 percent and 10 percent over last year, to as much as $117 billion (approx. 18 percent of total holiday sales). Retailers are expected to hire between 640,000 and 690,000 seasonal workers this holiday season, in line with last year’s 675,300 holiday positions. Click here to view full forecast details.

WEDDING COLLECTIONS: Hundreds of Bridal Florals in Seven Color Palettes Hot off the presses, this brand-new book from the editors of Florists’ Review is now ready for shipping. It features 345 bouquets, boutonnieres and other designs for bridal party and family members, organized them into seven color groupings. Hundreds of flower types and varieties, as well as dozens of bouquet styles, are featured within each palette. 132 pages. Softcover. $24.95 Click here to order or learn more about this must-have sales tool and inspirational guide.

Copyright © 2016 WildFlower Media Inc. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because in the past you provided WildFlower Media Inc. to opt-in to our electronic information and promotions. Our mailing address is: WildFlower Media Inc. 3300 SW Van Buren St. Topeka, KS  66611 Add us to your address book