Gift Basket Companies & Florists - Partner Up!

This tough economy has its negatives but it also can bring upon some opportunities too. Many small businesses are feeling the pinch of slower sales and getting creative with your marketing plan is a great way to increase your sales and prepare yourself for the future. Working with others in your industry can have amazing results and while the historical competitiveness between florists and gift basket companies still exists today, set it aside for a moment and consider some possibilities.

Here are a few similarities between the two industries:

• Both are doing significant internet marketing or have a connection that is directing customers to do business with them.
  
• Both are providing customer gifts for the same types of events such as birthday, sympathy, congratulation, thank you, get well, etc.
  
• Both get calls for the other product. Often times, customers want to send both flowers and a basket.
  
• Neither wants to get involved in the other industry. Gift Basket companies won’t profit from doing an occasion floral arrangement and florists don’t want to take on the inventory.
  

The Answer? Partner Up with a local company. Develop a program of selling each other’s products via your website or simply in your shops. It’s an opportunity to gain more business. Set aside, for a moment, the concept that they’re going to pick either/or and consider that if your customers are looking for a gift basket and you’re a florist, they might just find you and decide to get flowers instead or both.