Last Updated on January 27, 2014 by New-Startups Team
Bloom & Wild is innovating an industry that we didn’t at first think could be re-imagined. Co-founder’s Ben Stanway and Aron Gelbard provide cut-to-order longer-lasting flowers in bespoke boxes that fit through a standard letterbox. A perfect UK florist to bookmark just in time for Valentines Day because these to order flowers last longer and are more affordable.
“Cutting flowers to order means they last much longer than those from other florists (who buy flowers from wholesalers and keep them in inventory until they receive orders). Ordering direct from grower’s means we skip the 4-5 middlemen that flowers typically pass through. This reduces our cost and therefore our prices, reduces wastage, and means our customers receive fresher and longer lasting flowers. Delivering flowers in boxes that fit through the letterbox means that sending and receiving flowers is much more convenient, and makes home flower subscriptions easy.”
That’s how co-founder Aron Gelbard explained why Bloom & Wild is so great at tackling how flower delivery should be handled. For over 20 years there hasn’t been much in the way of flower-buying industry other than the e-commerce convenience. Flowers forever once bought have wilted in what feels like days, that’s because of the middlemen cut and hold process, thus reducing the amount of time fresh flowers are attainable for purchase.
By changing the traditional supply chain method, customers buy a few days in advance; sort of like a group buy, and orders are ganged up allowing growers to cut flowers for a larger quantity of customers only when ready to do so. Instead of the buy and hold inventory method which demerits shelf life. By dealing directly with a grower Bloom & Wild get flowers to customer homes in three days from when they are cut, making them last for weeks longer rather than days, and by removing additional hands in the supply chain costs are also much lower.
Florists can charge up to £50 for a bouquet and same-day delivery, but by ordering with Bloom & Wild the same bouquet can be brought home for just £16.95. The difference’s being that the order should be done in advance of when you need them, they’ll last longer when they arrive, and have to unpacked because of the companies unique delivery method.
Bloom & Wild also outfitted their flowers with a box like no other in the industry. A full bouquet that fits neatly into a letterbox sounds absurd, but they did it. A net keeps the size down and the flowers remain protected in the box, while small water vials are fitted around stems, this lets you do what ever you plan during the day and not have to wait for a flower delivery man to arrive. Instead in the post come your flowers ready for you to arrange once you pick up your mail.
Flowers when given to another should last for more than a few days, and with the convenience of a post-ready mailing solution, lower cost and longer lasting delivery Bloom & Wild could be your Valentine’s Day vessel to kisses.