In Austria, florists and hardware stores had to close their doors from Monday night due to government corona measures. They fall under the business that sells non-essential goods. They stay closed for at least three weeks.
Supermarkets remain open in Austria, because they are important for the food supply. They can continue to offer a full range, including flowers and plants. Flower shops / garden centers that are considered to be ‘agricultural businesses’ – that is, with product from their own nursery – may remain open. There are restrictions in the opening hours: they can stay open until 7 p.m. And the stores must be corona proof.
Red areas
In Italy, the government talked about possible strengthening of the corona measures. However, nothing changed, says Charles Lansdorp of Flower Academy. Flower shops and garden centers are allowed to be open in Italy. However, shops do not sell many flowers and plants because events and birthdays are not allowed. In red areas such as Lombardy and Naples, people are not allowed to travel to other villages. Florists hope for compensation from the government for the damage suffered.
Florists in France closed their doors at the beginning of November. Garden centers and supermarkets larger than 400m2 are not allowed to sell flowers. The rules in France apply until December 1. In England the florists are closed until December 2. Garden center and supermarkets are open. In Belgium and Germany all flower sales points are open.
Corona in mind
Sales of flowers and plants are also continuing in Russia and Poland. Russian cash & carries buy less in stock, more on order. In the run-up to Russian Mother’s Day, the price for chrysanthemums rose, says Warja Abrosimova of Dekker Chrysanten. However, this is also because growers – with corona in mind – have not planted extra for this holiday.
