Having A Plan For The Effects Of The Coronavirus Is A Good Idea For Florists!
Florists are growing increasingly concerned over the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the future impact it can have on their floral business.
Although COVID-19 is posing a challenge to many other retail businesses that rely on heavy foot traffic, the floral retail business may still see a lull in prom sales and wedding/event bookings. The universal economic drop in the stock market has made every business owner take notice of the COVID-19 impact.
So what can you as a floral business owner do to prepare or come out unscathed from the coronavirus? Taking steps to understand and be as prepared as possible for what may or may not happen is your first course of action.
What Is The Novel Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The novel coronavirus is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
The Event Impact!
As of late, there have been nationwide restrictions on event gathering between 50 to 250 people. If you have an upcoming wedding or event in the next 30 days I recommend you reach out to your client and said venue to make sure all is still going as planned. This is not in efforts to worry you but however to prepare you.
Wedding/Event Contracts:
- Now is also the time to review your wedding/event contract to include the necessary verbiage to protect yourself from our current circumstances. Besides having an “Act of God” on your contract please now include a write up on the “Pandemic”.
This verbiage can be laid out to include in case if you get ill, venue cancellations, client cancellations, rescheduling the event, refunds and so on.
Prom:
- Although most proms are in May-June, there are some florists that have a prom coming up in April. Check to see if your upcoming prom will still go on. Please do not order flowers and supplies for the upcoming prom until you are certain.
One thing to keep in mind is that if the prom does not go on for April, there are plans and much discussion of rescheduling all these milestone events. So if the prom in your area does not happen in April rest assured that it most likely will be rescheduled for a later date.
Customer Communication!
- Keep lines of communication with your customers open, on social media (Facebook). Post a write up letting your customers know the precautions your flower shop is taking during this COVID-19 pandemic.
This will make your customers feel good about your attention to the pandemic and besides that remind them that you are still running business as usual.
- For clients that want to book wedding consultations and are hesitant to meet in person, you can offer a new service such as video conferencing on skype.
The objective here is to keep all options available to you as the florist and the customer. How to make a Skype video conference call.
Protecting Yourself, Employees & Customers
As with any virus take precautions and protect yourself, employees and customers by washing your hands often and having employees also practice a good hand washing routine.
- Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds or sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice while washing your hands.
- You may also use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, although I have seen it very hard to come by hand sanitizers as of late. If you can get a hand sanitizers great if not good old soap and water works wonders.
- Avoid hand shanking a simple “hi” greeting will do for now and is understood.
Clean and disinfect touched surfaces frequently and daily. It has been speculated that the COVID-19 lives on surfaces for up to 2 – 5 days. For this reason, be sure to disinfect the most common surfaces daily. Recommended is every 30 minutes if receiving foot traffic at your location.
- Counter Top, Tables
- Doorknobs, Door Handles
- Cooler Doors and Handles
- Computers, Keyboards, Printers
- Florist Tools
- Flower Buckets
- Light Switches
- Desks
- Phones
- Faucets
- Sinks
- Toilets, Toliet Paper Holder
I also see there is storage on disinfection wipes, do not stress about this you may use bleach to disinfect which most if not all flower shops already have.
Bleach is a strong and effective disinfectant and is effective in killing bacteria, fungus, and viruses. Diluted household bleach is most recommended for the disinfection of facilities.
Coldwater should be used for dilution of bleach as hot water decomposes the active ingredient of bleach and renders it ineffective.
Have A Future Plan Of Action!
When facing the uncertainty of what the future holds with the novel coronavirus the most important thing to do is not to panic. Have a plan in place in the case of arising restrictions or school closings in your community or location as well as open communication with your floral wholesalers.
Be sure to also check the protocol for flower delivery to corporate offices, hospitals, and of course senior centers.
- Good not promise specific flowers unless you know for sure your wholesaler has them available. Please let your customers know when placing orders esp for funeral services that the blooms are “Subject to Availability”.
The closings of flower shops are most likely never going happen, however, if you personally have children or employees with children you will want to have a set plan in place for yourself and them as far as schudleding goes.
SBA Offer Disaster Assistance Loans For Small Businesses!
The SBA will offer disaster assistance loans for up to $2 million for small businesses affected by the coronavirus. As a small business owner, you must show that you have substantial economic repercussions due to the spread of the coronavirus.
Click here for more information on the SBA Disaster Assistance Loan.
Flowers Are Always Needed!
Although the fear of what is to come with COVID-19 is prominent it is good for florists to know that you are needed during these times. Flowers are still the best way to convey feelings and emotions.
With emotions running high at this present time you will need to be there for your customers. It is also a good idea to work on having a beautifully showcased floral eCommerce website. With the huge uptick in online shoppers, you want to make sure your eCommerce is attractive and easy to navigate.
Lastly, there can be a temptation during times of crisis to freak oneself out and make irrational decisions. The overall impact of a flower shop retailer is not predicted to be major.
Continue business as usual and know that “This Too Shall Pass” and hopefully, in the end, bring us all globally closer together. ♥
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