A new innovative e-commerce opportunity has been launched into New Zealand. Direct2florist.com. Former florists, father and son team John & Simon Stirling from Bolton, England are set to change the way consumers shop for flowers worldwide.

Direct2florist has joined forces with the New Zealand based “Joyflora Network” based in Christchurch to form a partnership that will see the company’s direct2florist.com website initiative launched in New Zealand.

“Direct2florist.com could very well become the number one consumer flower ordering website worldwide,” said John Stirling. “We are delighted that Garry Knight will direct efforts of the Direct2florist.com program in New Zealand while we work to expand Direct2florist around the world.”

The Direct2florist initiative passes 100% flower value to the florist and allows the florist to set their own prices and upload their own products. Company Director Simon Stirling says “this program has been designed to drive business back to the real local florist, we aim to place real local florists on Direct2florist at the top of the search engines.”

Basic computer skills are all that are needed to get started and it doesn’t take much time. Everything is done on-line by the florist. Mostly answering some simple questions. Prices, delivery areas and product selection can be changed at will, by the florist using a system that will automatically size photos.

“Already there are almost 100 florists listed in New Zealand” says Garry Knight, “and we are receiving a steady increase in order volumes. This is not going to go away. The concept of a worldwide florist directory, giving each real local florist their own virtual shop with secure on-line ordering, has been just the thing the industry has been waiting for. Real florists can now have daily specials on-line, and change them every day. Promote occasion days, change their product range, from their pc, as often as they choose. All that for about the price of one cup of coffee a week and who can’t afford that? This could be the biggest florist shop in the world”.

Whatever the state of the economy and however hard the credit crunch is biting, there will always be opportunities for international trade if the product or service on offer is good enough and brings enough benefits to the end user. A good example of this philosophy is the rapid expansion of florist2florist’s web-based direct2florist.com (D2F) initiative, which is rapidly finding favour in Europe and, perhaps more surprisingly, across the pond in America.

Back in February, F&WB brought you the news that florist2florist had joined forces with the USA’s Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association (WF&FSA) to form a partnership that would see the company’s direct2florist.com website initiative launched in North America. Since then, things have moved forward, with the D2F website service officially launched at the start of a two-day wholesale convention in Tampa, Florida.

“It was incredible,” said florist2florist’s Simon Stirling. “Having the opportunity to present the initiative to 220 top wholesalers from all over the US and Canada was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Thankfully it all went well.”

During the convention, numerous big name wholesalers signed up to promote D2F to their customers, with one forward-thinking business, flower logistics and wholesale expert Armellini industries, even bringing in a fully liveried D2F promotional truck.

“The reason wholesalers are promoting D2F is because they believe an order at 100% improves profitability and cash flow for their customers,” added Simon. “They believe D2F has the potential to strengthen the industry, which is why many other wholesalers are planning to follow the lead of Armellini and pledging to sign write trucks with d2f themselves. Others have told us they will stick on the D2F truck stickers, whilst WF&FSA are providing point of sale literature, van stickers and posters to wholesalers.”

Simon continues: “It’s very pleasing to see the number of sign-ups from USA and Canada since the exhibition. The increased number of florists in different countries strengthens the overall position of the site for every florist, regardless of location.”

Following the Launch of Direct2florist website on March 6th in Tampa, D2F has already seen early registrations from real American and Canadian florists.

Direct2florist Director Simon Stirling says “we are delighted to see these florists register early. It shows we are already receiving strong support from wholesalers and florists across America and Canada”

In an innovative move Armellini Floral Distribution specialists and wholesalers showed great support for the D2F initiative by having a truck inside the Tampa Convention Centre at the Launch of D2F emblazoned with the Direct2florist logo and the message “buy flowers from real local florists worldwide”

The D2F initiative passes 100% flower value to the florist and allows the florist to set their own prices and upload their own products. Company Director Simon Stirling says “this program has been designed to drive business back to the real local florist, we do this using search engine optimisation to place the real local florist at the top of the search engines.

So far florists in the UK, Cyprus, Spain and New Zealand have really benefited from the program, it is hoped recruitment from USA and Canadian florists will further strengthen the brand and its positioning on the web.

Direct2florist has joined forces with the US based Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association (WF&FSA) to form a partnership that will see the company’s Direct2florist.com website initiative launched in the United States and Canada.

“WF&FSA sees the partnership with Direct2florist as an opportunity to help traditional retail florists,” said Dave Garcia, WF&FSA President and President of the Pete Garcia Company in Atlanta, GA. “The fate of floral wholesalers is closely tied to that of the traditional retail florist and Direct2florist.com will have an impact on the profitability of retail florists. Florists will instantly be e-commerce capable, will receive 100% of the flower value and they have complete control of products they sell, prices and delivery areas, and they will get paid when the order is delivered. The risk to the retail florist is minimal and the potential gain is tremendous.”

Direct2florist.com allows consumers worldwide to place orders directly with a traditional local florist and provides florists with orders that have not been discounted. Founded by former British florist John Stirling and his son Simon, Direct2florist.com has been operating successfully for nearly a year.

“Direct2florist.com could very well become the number one consumer flower ordering website worldwide,” said John Stirling. “We are delighted that WF&FSA will direct efforts of the Direct2florist.com program in the United States and Canada while we work to expand D2F in the UK and around the world.”

Commenting on the benefits this will bring to florists in the UK, Simon Stirling added: “The recruitment of thousands of US & Canadian shops to the site will give it a tremendous kick. The site will receive inbound links from hundreds of US wholesalers and florists so the site will effectively become more visible and important to Google. It means in the fullness of time florists are going to receive lots of orders at full value direct from the direct2florist.com website.”

Have you ever wanted to say it with flowers but can’t see exactly what blooms you’re buying online, or the florist that’s sending them? A breakthrough in flower buying, Florist2florist.com Ltd is launching Direct2florist.com (http://www.direct2florist.com), which - for the first time - lets customers see pictures of the local shops stocking the romantic roses or anniversary arrangements, and send their order directly to the florist of their choice.

Direct2florist.com is an ideal system for sending flowers anywhere in the UK and world-wide through a proven network of real local florists. Using this new system, customers can view florists in a chosen delivery area, see their designs and arrangements, and send their order directly to the most suitable shop, cutting out any middlemen. This means same day orders are made simple and the bouquet arrives like a breeze!

As well as viewing photos of the florists and the available flowers, the customer may, from their own home, conduct price comparisons and find the best deal. Direct2florist.com also features a built-in ’star rating’ system where customers rate individual florists and may add comments on the shop’s performance - another industry first.

Although relay schemes for flowers have previously existed, traditional ‘relay companies’ charge up to 40% commission and deduct this from the amount paid to the florist. Direct2florist.com only charges a small transaction fee on each order to cover its admin costs. When sending international blooms, by dealing with one point of contact, the customer cuts out the inevitable delays and high costs associated with multiple companies handling their order. As a result, the customer enjoys more control and greater value for money with Direct2florist.com.

John Stirling, company director, says: “With Direct2florist.com for the first time, the public is dealing with a real local florist instead of an agency. Everyone wins because Direct2florist.com is passing 100% flower value to the florist and not taking a hefty commission.”

He adds: “In just three months, more than 350 real local florists have subscribed to Direct2florist.com in UK, demonstrating their confidence in our service. At current rate of growth, we should have global coverage within 12 months. Already, a customer on our website could order directly from a real local florist in Halifax UK or Hong Kong.”