Frank Adams is proud to be part of the 2010 Portland Flower Market Fall / Christmas Open House. Mark your calenders, Sunday September 26th. The Design panel will consist of four Designers. Frank Adams will be featuring a first time to the Northwest designer; Walter Fedyshyn. Walter comes to us with great credentials and  endorsements, he is from the Chicago area. Walter will be showcasing our outstanding Fall and Christmas lines for the upcoming seasons. 

Brian Smith will be commentating on the four designers work. He will help explain the style, marketability and profitability of each design with a humorous twist that only Brian can.

Frank Adams is in the process of  planning a program for the lunch period. We would like feedback and comments on your preference. 1) A care and handling seminar.  or  2) A seminar on using Face-book and Twitter to help grow your business. Let us know your thoughts.

The first quarter is behind us and it has been an interesting one. The biggest thing to happen is the passing of our new health plan bill. There are a lot of good things in there and a lot not so good. The biggest concern most of us have is how is it going to effect my business and how do I incorporate the effects of it into my business plan. Most of us have less than 50 employees so there is no immediate effect to our current status. However retail sales to people and businesses we depend on may be effected if they have over 50 employees and dramatically effected if 200 or more employees.

Good news;

Small Firms Continue Hiring Trend, From NJBIZ
Small businesses nationwide added about 50,000 employees in March, continuing a trend in hiring by firms with fewer than 20 employees that began in June 2009, according to the Small Business Employment Index from Intuit Inc. The index is based on the employment data generated by small businesses that use Intuit payroll-processing software. The index reveals that companies employing fewer than 20 have added 175,000 jobs since June 2009.             

First quarter sales were up over 2009 in most retail shops. March was very good for  everyone. Keep in mind that Easter sales fell in April last year but isn't great to be on the plus side going into the next month.  

Tip to increase sales; Get those Guys to buy more Flowers.                                                                            Up-selling can turn a one-time sale into repeat orders. When a guy places an order, invite him to join your Men’s Club, or Stay Out of the Doghouse pack. Offer a deal on multiple orders placed in advance, to be sent on a future date. One week before the delivery, contact your club customer to find out what he wants to send. Give him a printout of the Guys Guide to Giving Flowers page from AboutFlowers.com or a copy of SAF’s Hip Givers Guide. 

David Austin English Garden Roses;   Frank Adams Wholesale Florist is proud to be awarded the exclusive distribution rights for David Austin Roses in Oregon. The name says it all; quality, brand recognition and fragrance. If you haven't seen them be sure to stop in and see for yourself. Please give us two weeks advance notice for special orders.  

Valentines Day Report; The higher your sales and the more suburban your location, the more likely you were to see sales fall off this Valentine’s Day.

According to the final results of SAF’s holiday survey, 68 percent of florists with sales of $1 million or more and 65 percent of florists in suburban areas reported sales declines compared to last year. For large shops that reported sales drops, the average decline was 16 percent. For suburban shops where sales fell, the average drop was 21 percent.

About 56 percent of the smaller shops, those with annual sales below $300,000 per year, reported declines in sales, about the same proportion as businesses in the $500,000 to $1 million sales range. Almost 60 percent of shops located in urban areas and nearly 62 percent of florists in rural locations also said their sales had declined.

In the sales category of $500,000 to $1 million, 24 percent of shops reported increased sales, compared to 15 percent of larger shops. And in small towns, 24 percent reported increased sales, compared to 18 percent in suburban areas. 

Close to 60 percent of florists overall reported a decline in sales. The final tally, based on 618 online responses from retail florists to, didn’t change much as 21 percent reported increases and 18 percent said sales were about the same. Consumer purchases in general were off from 2009 by 14 percent, according to the results of SAF’s nationwide consumer poll.

Personnel Changes;

We are very sad to say that we have or are loosing two very dear family members this month. After 15 years of dedicated service to the Frank Adams team, Patti has decided to leave the floral industry. While she explores her options she will be spending much of her time with our 3 year old Grand daughter McKenna. Heather Gabel will be assuming Patti's responsibilities and then some. We are also loosing Sherry Phelan after 9 years as our Supply Buyer. Sherry's eye for color, trends and style are outstanding, one of the best if not the best I have had the pleasure to work with these past 40+ years. She is following her heart to Atlanta Georgia and exploring her options. 

We will miss both of these "LADIES" so much. Those of you that had the opportunity and pleasure to work with either or both of them know what I mean. We wish them happiness and all the best in their future endeavors.   

Thank you Patti  and Thank you Sherry it won't be the same without you.

2009 is behind us and that's a good thing, learn from it but don't dwell on it.  The 2010 New Years resolution for all businesses should be Don't focus on the economy or the news. Focus on a Sales Strategy---- plan the work and work the plan. Buying is alive and well, 60% of women surveyed confessed they bought a significant amount of their purchases on a whim. That's a good thing for our industry, but you must find a way to capture that market. 

The future is unclear but one thing is guaranteed the way consumers shop & purchase is changing. The Smart Phone is a great example. Still a niche but poised to boom, 19% will use their mobile device to shop. It is 2 times higher (38%) for those 18-29 years of age to find store location, obtain coupons, sales info., research products & prices. 1/4 will make purchases on the device.

Speaking of coupons, coupons may be one of the oldest promos in the book. 70% of the households still get their coupons from the newspaper. The Internet is gaining as a coupon source, 1/4 of the 70% get their coupons online today; up 46% from 2006.

Do it Yourself Weddings is the trend for 2010. You be the one to help them plan their needs and sale them the package of products needed. Then let them go home and put it together. Don't miss out on the new trend, find a way to be part of it. Bookings are up for June 2010 weddings , warm bright vibrant tones are in for 2010 weddings.

Don't be a NAGATRON these are modern day energy vampires, they focus on the bad, the negative, the worst of times, they are fault finders, they criticize, condemn, complain and always take the path of least resistance. If you surround yourself with these people or worse have them as employees its very difficult to be successful. You have a choice it can be a great day or a bad day celebrate life or just exist it's your choice. Your life is and occasion---rise to it. If you have not seen the move "Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium" I highly recommend it. It is packed with dialogue regarding life, death and havinga life filled with wonder & enjoyment, good life lessons .