The winter holidays may be over, but there’s no time to relax: valentine’s day is just around the corner! It may seem like there’s not a lot of time to prepare for all the business you are sure to have, but with these simple tips, you may find yourself in the best position ever when cupid comes to town.

Get your orders in now

Order your Valentine’s Day flowers by early to mid-January so that you are sure to get all you need. This may also be a good time to order from a flower auction, as you will need a larger than- normal quantity of flowers and may be able to get a great deal. As for supplies, make sure you’re well stocked with tools and prep supplies, as well as Valentine’s-themed vases and containers. Don’t forget to order add-ons such as candies, balloons, and stuffed animals, as these can be highly profitable

Prep supplies in advance

Once you have your floral supplies and flowers, do as much as you can to prep everything in advance. Prepare your flowers, cut ribbon ahead of time, and place all containers in an organized fashion so they are easy to find and use. Many florists also add the greenery to vases in advance, which can be a huge time saver when preparing arrangements.

Make Your Store Romance Special 

Do everything you can to show that you have the finest Valentine’s Day gifts in town. Make your windows an explosion of love, with hearts, flowers and all things romantic. Ensure the inside of your store is also filled with beautiful Valentine’s floral arrangements and decor. Go online for inspiration: Just type “Valentine’s Day flower shop displays” in your search engine and you’ll find all kinds of wonderful ideas.

Show Your Website Some Love 

If not already done, immediately prepare your website early for Valentine’s Day orders. Make sure the home page has a “Shop Now for Valentine’s Day Flowers” banner that directs customers right to the page where all your special Valentine’s Day arrangements are displayed. You can also add Valentine’s Day arrangements to other already established pages on your website, such as “Best Sellers” or “Gifts for Her”. The key is to feature beautifully photographed arrangements throughout your website, so customers can’t miss them.

Peep Your Team

Make sure your staff is ready to go for this incredibly busy time. Prepare schedules well in advance and ensure your team knows the exact days and times they work. Hire any temporary help early enough so that you have a couple of weeks to train them, and make sure all staff know how to add on items to every Valentine’s Day arrangement – this is a key way to dramatically increase your sales and profits!

Create Valentine’s Day Packages and Promotions

Promote special offers for arrangements combined with stuffed animals, candies, balloons or any other add-on you have in the store. Display these “bundle deals” throughout the shop so that they are readily available for purchase. Offer these packages on your website as well, to increase your overall sales. Don’t forget the power of a single wrapped rose: Pre-make tons of them and place them at your front counter. They sell quickly, and customers will almost always purchase an add-on to go along with the rose.

Have Fun!

Valentine’s Day can certainly be a stressful time for florists, but it’s also an exciting one. Minimize that stress – and maximize the fun – by preparing as far in advance as possible. Here’s to a great Valentine’s Day for all!