Remember Eliza Doolittle's dream of owning a respectable flower shop? A century or so later, the local florist's establishment hasn't changed much. Flower shops in Miami still fill their windows with seasonal blooms and occasion-themed designs. But the flower industry has seen some radical changes from the days when Shaw's plucky heroine hawked her wares in Covent Garden.
Today's flower shop continues to offer holiday arrangements for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Corsages and boutonnieres are staples for prom and homecoming seasons. And it's still possible for a spouse to stop into a local florist for a spur-of-the-moment "I'm sorry" bouquet. But technology has led to big changes in the flower-delivery industry – and flower shops in Miami have taken a hit.
Better preservation is one way that advances in technology have affected the floral industry. The biggest shift, though, has been the rise of wire services and the widespread availability of the Internet. Now, instead of walking or driving to a Miami flower shop to place an order, consumers can send an arrangement anywhere in the world with just a few clicks. The effect on local sellers has been striking: Local florists have declined 34 percent since 1997.
Of course, the increasing dominance of wire services hasn't driven the local shop out of business. Somebody has to fulfill those online orders, and there is no substitute for a conversation with a knowledgeable flower expert when it comes to selection and customization. But the cut-flower-landscape is undeniably altered by the electronic market.
Still, brick-and-mortar flower shops can and do flourish in a crowded marketplace. Some movements have arisen to improve the relationships between wire services and local fulfillers. Many contend that the arrangement can be beneficial for everyone – consumer, broker, and supplier alike. Flower shops in Miami – whether they work with wire services or not – are firmly committed to preserving the quality of the end product. And that should be of prime concern to both buyers and sellers. Consumers shouldn't have to sacrifice in quality what they gain in convenience, a powerful argument for local florists.
Whether you're ordering flowers in Miami, London, or Bangkok, you have a vast selection of arrangements at your fingertips. But there's nothing quite like a visit to your local flower shop to experience the colors, textures, and fragrances of fresh blooms. Shopping online has its advantages, of course, but they haven't yet invented a plug-in that lets you smell what you're seeing.
Today's flower shop continues to offer holiday arrangements for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Corsages and boutonnieres are staples for prom and homecoming seasons. And it's still possible for a spouse to stop into a local florist for a spur-of-the-moment "I'm sorry" bouquet. But technology has led to big changes in the flower-delivery industry – and flower shops in Miami have taken a hit.
Better preservation is one way that advances in technology have affected the floral industry. The biggest shift, though, has been the rise of wire services and the widespread availability of the Internet. Now, instead of walking or driving to a Miami flower shop to place an order, consumers can send an arrangement anywhere in the world with just a few clicks. The effect on local sellers has been striking: Local florists have declined 34 percent since 1997.
Of course, the increasing dominance of wire services hasn't driven the local shop out of business. Somebody has to fulfill those online orders, and there is no substitute for a conversation with a knowledgeable flower expert when it comes to selection and customization. But the cut-flower-landscape is undeniably altered by the electronic market.
Still, brick-and-mortar flower shops can and do flourish in a crowded marketplace. Some movements have arisen to improve the relationships between wire services and local fulfillers. Many contend that the arrangement can be beneficial for everyone – consumer, broker, and supplier alike. Flower shops in Miami – whether they work with wire services or not – are firmly committed to preserving the quality of the end product. And that should be of prime concern to both buyers and sellers. Consumers shouldn't have to sacrifice in quality what they gain in convenience, a powerful argument for local florists.
Whether you're ordering flowers in Miami, London, or Bangkok, you have a vast selection of arrangements at your fingertips. But there's nothing quite like a visit to your local flower shop to experience the colors, textures, and fragrances of fresh blooms. Shopping online has its advantages, of course, but they haven't yet invented a plug-in that lets you smell what you're seeing.