Polish florists are not fully satisfied with the current shape of their sector. Many of them say that the flower sector in Poland is not supporting them. Florists often mention the important problem they face with wholesale markets and wholesalers. These most important parts of the flower chain are selling flowers, plants and ready arrangements directly to the end customers.
The Agricultural Section of the Dutch Embassy conducted an online flower survey for the Polish florists. The majority of Polish florists are complaining that wholesale markets are in fact competing with them instead of supporting and supplying them. Many flower shop owners complain, that private people are allowed to buy flowers directly at the wholesale markets.
This way ‘stylists’ and ‘florists’ without registered companies, who decorate events (mainly weddings) are buying flowers at the wholesale price. Florists find this unfair towards all those who are running a regular business, paying taxes and baring the cost of running the flower shop, studio or workshop. It is spoiling the trade as the consumers get lower prices (without VAT) and later demand such prices at regular flower shops.
Not a path paved with flowers
Polish clients love flowers but are still extremely price sensitive. Some of them ‘want plenty for peanuts’ or buy directly at the wholesale markets and at wholesalers. They even buy flowers themselves for special events like weddings.
Many florists underline the role of trade organizations which should influence wholesalers and wholesale markets to sell the products to registered companies only. This would solve the problem of individual clients buying at wholesale prices, creating the grey zone and an unhealthy competition.
From 10 February till the end of March 2020 the Agricultural Section of the Embassy conducted an online flower survey for the Polish florists. Aim of the survey was to gather knowledge about the current flower market seen from the florists perspective. The whole report (in English) can be downloaded from here.
