Florist Basic Pricing Guide
“The book of nature is written in the language of Mathematics” -Galileo
Running a flower shop or floral eCommerce website starts with creative skill however the longevity of your business relies on consistent and proper florist pricing.
One thing to take notice of is that in the floral business there isn’t a set markup guide- you should consider your markup based on the type of floral business you run and your location. What you don’t want to do is not charge enough markup and also not be consistent in your formula.
The most used florist pricing guide includes labor, flowers/foliage, plants, gifts, and supplies.
Labor Charge:
The basic labor charge is set at 20% of the retail price. Florists don’t be timid about increasing your labor charge as needed, for everyday floral arrangements you may be good with a 20 % charge however for a floral arrangement that takes you more time charge more labor this is perfectly acceptable.
Flower & Foliage Markup:
For flowers and foliage, the most commonly used markup is 350% times your wholesale cost per stem. When using a full bunch you would use the same formula and charge 350% times the wholesale cost of the bunch.
Check the chart image above for standard mixed flower arrangement- calculate each flower stem to come up with flower/foliage final retail cost which comes to $19.07 x’s 350% = $66.75.
Example:
Flower/Foliage | Wholesale Cost This is what you paid! | Qty x Markup | Retail |
---|---|---|---|
Free Spirit Rose | $2.00 | 4 (Qty) x 350% | $28.00 |
Lisianthus | $1.05 | 2 (Qty) x 350% | $7.00 |
Plant Markup:
For your retail plants, such as indoor, blooming, orchids, dish gardens, air plants, and succulents take into consideration the container that it is in, and be sure to mark that up as well separately. I like to markup any variety of plants three times which is 300 % of wholesale cost. For the actual container, I use a 200 % or 250% markup depending on the uniqueness of the container or demand.
Gifts & Supply Markup:
The set standard for gifts and supplies is two times or 200% of your wholesale cost. This is only a set standard markup for retail it is perfectly OK to set a higher markup depending on your type of retail floral business and location. Gifts including any curated gift boxes, baskets, candles, and supplies would be your containers/vases, ribbon, tape, wire, printer ink, card stock, and so on.
It is agreed that florist labor and markup are important to sustain a floral business but more importantly is understanding the fundamentals of the flower & supply cost.
Overbuying, wasting, or adding a few free flower stems here or there, takes away from your business profits and minimizes you as the owner and your creativity. Set your markups, and labor costs, and consistently charge for your hard work it’s not personal just business!
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John says
Hi, My name is John and I work as a florist in Sydney. I often read your blog and it helps me with lots of things that I do at work. Thanks a lot and keep posting ideas.
Ana says
Hi, I own an e-commerce flower shop and wonder whether the markup should be the same for online shops.
Idalina Bertone says
Absolutly it should. ♥
Love your Flower blog thanks for sharing
Thank you so much! ♥
Hi – what is the markdown or spoiled flower cost as a % of sales for a typical florist as fresh flowers approach end of life?
This is a great question- for end of life flowers I like to mark them down half of what I usually would use so if I typically markup 350% them I mark them down 125%. This of course all depends on how much life they have in them but does NOT apply to event functions or funeral viewings and services keep those at your general markup.
You need to lose the % sign in your calculations. 3.5% means multiply by .035. Just say multiply by 3.5 on stems.
Hi Harriet – Thank you I had 350% in my head and did the opposite I appreciate you so much! ♥
Hi. I wonder how you cover a labor cost. If it’s by a day or by design or by the quantity of flowers bouquet.
And for the supplies cost of flowers bouquet. I wonder if includes the equipment expenses or just a raw materials and materials only?.
I hope you can help me. Thank you !
Hi Lea-
Labor costs will be different for all floral business owners now so are even giving a % of what was designed to the floral designer. Treating them as independent contractors.
The way I did it was I did it in my shop was I calculated my mark up and added a 10% Labor cost to all designs and 20% for all wedding designs. I kept it simple standard labor charge is 20% but I had to keep competitive at that time.
I hope this helps!