--- title: The flower business is wilting - The Hustle description: Problems on both the supply and demand side are plaguing florists everywhere. image: https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/524692882-HS-News-Brief_2022-05-04T004915.400Z.webp --- # The flower business is wilting ![Rob Litterst](https://thehustle.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rob-Litterst-pic.png?width=48&height=48&name=Rob-Litterst-pic.png) [Rob Litterst](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/author/rob-litterst) [Rob Litterst Twitter profile ](https://twitter.com/robbylit) Published: May 04, 2022 Updated: October 11, 2023 Mother’s Day is right around the corner — which, along with Valentine’s Day, is one of the most popular occasions to buy flowers. ![The flower business is wilting](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/524692882-HS-News-Brief_2022-05-04T004915.400Z.webp?width=595&height=400&name=524692882-HS-News-Brief_2022-05-04T004915.400Z.webp) But recent trends suggest florists may be relying more on the holiday than usual this year. Per *CNBC*, the flower business is [taking a beating](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/28/1-800-flowers-flws-reports-fiscal-q3-2022-results.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202022-04-29%20Retail%20Dive%20Newsletter%20%5Bissue:41410%5D&utm_term=Retail%20Dive) due to a bouquet of problems. #### **The root of the issue…** … starts on the supply side. When the pandemic hit in 2020, many farmers got rid of their flower crops, and, unsure of future demand, [didn’t plant](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/02/style/flower-supply-shortage.html) as much as they normally would, causing an overall shortage of flowers. Along with that, the flower supply chain has faced thorny issues of its own, including: - **Labor shortages,** with floral designers [increasingly](https://www.kristv.com/news/local-news/where-are-the-flowers-flower-shortage-may-impact-mothers-day) harder to come by - **Weather,** which has meant poor growing conditions - **Shipping,** which grew challenging with fewer international flights and a shortage of truck drivers This hotbed of difficulties has led to higher costs for florists, which they’ve passed along to consumers. #### **But higher prices…** … have led to another budding problem for florists — decreased demand. 1-800-Flowers, the gift behemoth that also owns Harry & David and Shari’s Berries, reported lower demand for everyday gifting in its quarter ending in March, and lowered its guidance for the rest of the year. The stock fell to a new 52-week low as a result. On the bright side for florists, short-term demand is likely to pop for Mother’s Day. Consumers willing to stomach the premium on peonies, roses, and tulips should act fast as supply is reportedly [dwindling](https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/mothers-day-flowers-in-short-supply). If you miss the chance on flowers, Tim Horton’s has you covered with this [bouquet of doughnuts](https://www.myrecipes.com/extracrispy/tim-hortons-has-a-doughnut-bouquet-for-mothers-day#:~:text=The%20answer%20is%20simple%3A%20doughnuts,gift%20box%20for%20your%20mother.). Topics: [Ecommerce And Retail](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/tag/ecommerce-and-retail) ## Follow us on social media prev next - ![Excited about Bed Bath & Beyond’s return? You may feel pretty lonely](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1248390843-19-News-Brief_2023-08-20T225804.606Z.webp) ### Excited about Bed Bath & Beyond’s return? 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