Market Research

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Market Research
How to Open a Flower Shop

Target Market..
- What markets exist in your community and who is your target customer?
First things first.
Before you invest time, money and energy into opening a flower shop, first, make sure there is a market for your flowers. In other words, take time to think about who your customers will be, how much of what they will buy and when.
Answer these questions:

* How many consumers are there in your marketplace?
* What is their income?
* How old are they?
* What do they do for a living?
* Where do they live?
* Are they professionals, families, college students, seniors, etc?
* Are they likely to buy by phone, in person or over the Internet?
* How often do your target customers buy flowers?
* On what occasions?
* How much will they spend in each case?
* Are flowers a status symbol in your community?
* What roles do funerals and religious ceremonies and cemeteries play in your community?
* What role do flowers play in those ceremonies?
* What role do flowers play at the cemeteries?
* What industry is in your community and what role do flowers play in their business?
* Do they send flowers to their employees, clients, and partners? Do they use flowers in their offices?

Now that you have answered these questions, move on to the competition section.

Competition..

- In many cases, there will already be businesses that are selling flowers in your community. Having researched the market and what segments of the market buy flowers for what reason, now Consider the following: Who is your competition-in the floral market?

* Retail flower shops
* Garden Centers
* Super Markets
* Farmer's Markets
* Farm Markets
* National Order Gatherers
* Big Box Retail
* Big Box Home Centers
* Studio Flower Shops

What portion of the market is the competition selling to?
Are they satisfying that market?
What advantage does the competition have?
Location, relationships with key customers, reputation, and volume
What advantages will you have?
Will you compete for the same segment of the market or will you target another segment?
What other products compete with flowers in your market?
Gifts, jewelry, candy, bakery items, crafts

Armed with answers to these and the questions in the Target Market section, It's time to write a Business Plan!

© Copyright 2006 How to Open a Flower Shop.