The floristry industry is part of the environmental and land‐based industries, represented by Lantra Sector Skills Council, which also includes the following industries: agricultural crops; agricultural livestock; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; equine; environmental conservation; farriery; fencing; fisheries management; game and wildlife management; land‐based engineering; horticulture, landscape and sports turf; production horticulture; trees and timber; and veterinary nursing. The sector as a whole currently employs 1,126,000 people (approximately 4% of the UK workforce) in around 230,000 businesses. In addition, there are an estimated 500,000 volunteers working in the sector on a regular basis. Approximately 42% of the workforce is self‐employed.
The floristry industry covers: floristry design and creation; retailing; and delivery. The majority of floristry businesses are small‐to‐medium sized enterprises comprising independent shops and flower‐arranging services. They typically combine retail, manufacture and delivery. Many florists are part of a membership network, such as Teleflower, Interflora and Flowergram, which provide marketing and sales support, product and design development, as well as having international links. Flowers and plants are now much more accessible to the consumer, so independent florists have to compete with multi‐nationals, supermarkets and mass produced products.
Key facts:
- There are 17,000 people working in the industry, in approximately 8,400 businesses.
- 94% of businesses employ less than 10 staff, and 6% employ 10 or more staff.
- Up to 70% of sales are undertaken via the telephone, but internet sales are increasing.
- An estimated 1 in 8 floristry businesses units have closed down over the past year.
- 25% of the workforce has a level 4 qualification.
- 9% of the workforce has no formal qualifications.
- Recently, a number of career changers have come into the industry.
Jobs in the industry include: florist, business owner, demonstrator, sales/telesales and administration staff, floristry manager/shop manager.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 1,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 500 businesses.
East of England – There are an estimated 1,600 employees in the regional workforce, in around 800 businesses.
London – There are an estimated 2,300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,150 businesses.
North East – There are an estimated 700 employees in the regional workforce, in around 350 businesses.
North West – There are an estimated 2,050 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,000 businesses.
South East – There are an estimated 2,200 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,100 businesses.
South West – There are an estimated 1,350 employees in the regional workforce, in around 650 businesses.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 1,650 employees in the regional workforce, in around 800 businesses.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 1,650 employees in the regional workforce, in around 700 businesses.
Scotland – There are an estimated 1,450 employees in the regional workforce, in around 700 businesses.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 250 businesses.
Wales – There are an estimated 800 employees in the regional workforce, in around 400 businesses.
[N.B. Data derived from Experian National Surveys Database, 2008 and Labour Force Survey, 2008.]
