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Florists in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Fiona Stalker Fiona Stalker London, United Kingdom Last Updated: June 2024 SIC SP0.136

Revenue

£1.1bn

2024-25

£1.1bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XX.Xm

Employees

24,976

Businesses

7,932

Wages

£XXX.Xm

Florists in the UK industry analysis

Revenue in the Florists industry is anticipated to contract at a compound annual rate of 0.4% over the five years through 2024-25 to £1.1 billion. The florist market thrives when individuals want to send gifts and during key occasions like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, weddings, anniversaries and funerals. With most flowers being imported, primarily from the Netherlands, the industry’s performance is closely tied to fluctuations in global supply chains, trade restrictions and weather variability. The Florist industry faces an uphill job attracting some customers since supermarkets are viewed as cheap, convenient and quality places to purchase flowers for the everyday buyer, at the expense of specialist florists.

Trends and Insights

  • Supermarkets' cheap flowers stunted florist growth. As supermarkets provided a convenient, lower-cost alternative for flower purchases amidst the pandemic, the traditional florist industry grappled with heightened competition and is now leveraging online platforms to stay relevant and extend their reach.
  • Cut flower arrangements reign supreme in florists' sales. Derived from their appeal as gifts and decor, these florally artistic displays, despite competition, continue to generate the highest revenue for florist shops.
  • UK florists flourish in populous, affluent regions. With high demand due to larger populations and disposable incomes, the South East, London, and East of England provide optimal settings for floristry businesses.
  • Upscaling in floral industry hinges on expertise and efficiency. Flourishing in the florist business necessitates access to skilled workforce and efficient inventory management, which includes adept usage of IT equipment and strategic hiring during seasonal peaks.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £1.1bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The Florist industry bloomed under difficult circumstances during COVID-19 lockdowns

  • The Florist Industry was forced to be quick on its feet to adapt during COVID-19 lockdowns. Flower shops closed, the events and wedding market ground to a halt and cut flower supply chain issues from vital import markets spelled disaster for businesses.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Florists in the UK
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Changing import costs remain an obstacle for florists

  • Florists predominantly buy stock from flower and plant wholesalers, although some larger online businesses buy products directly from source markets.

Biggest companies in the Florists in the UK

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue (£m)
2025
Bloom and Wild Ltd
36.1
Freddie's Flowers Ltd
31.4
Arena Online Ltd
19.1

To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Florists in the UK
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Arranged cut flowers, Giftware and Unarranged cut flowers. Arranged cut flowers is the largest segment of the Florists in the UK.

Trends and Insights

Arranged cut flowers are the most popular purchases from floritsts

  • Florists make the most from the sale of arranged cut flowers, including bouquets and arrangements of roses, lilies, orchids, tulips and eucalyptus.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry specialises in retailing cut flowers, floral arrangements and potted plants. Industry operators purchase these goods from domestic and international flower growers and wholesalers, and then sell them to the general public. Non-specialist online retailers, supermarkets and department stores do not fall under this industry.

What's included in this industry?

Arranged cut flowersGiftwareUnarranged cut flowersPlants

Companies

Bloom and Wild LtdFreddie's Flowers LtdArena Online Ltd

Purchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

RELAY ORGANISATIONFAIR TRADEONLINE RETAILER

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 47.21 - Florists in the UK

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Supermarkets' cheap flowers stunted florist growth. As supermarkets provided a convenient, lower-cost alternative for flower purchases amidst the pandemic, the traditional fl...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Cut flower arrangements reign supreme in florists' sales. Derived from their appeal as gifts and decor, these florally artistic displays, despite competition, continue to gen...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

UK florists flourish in populous, affluent regions. With high demand due to larger populations and disposable incomes, the South East, London, and East of England provide opt...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Upscaling in floral industry hinges on expertise and efficiency. Flourishing in the florist business necessitates access to skilled workforce and efficient inventory manageme...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

There are no major companies in the industry. Competition amongst florists is fierce as there are shops on the corner of every highstreet, with price and quality key points o...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Bloom and Wild Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Freddie's Flowers Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Arena Online Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Bloom and Wild Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Freddie's Flowers Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Arena Online Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Strict adherence to Health and Safety Act is crucial for florists. As they handle tools, materials, and chemicals that can be hazardous, their compliance with the 1974 Act en...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Online sales are enhancing florists' profitability. By selling flower gift baskets online, florists bypass the need for costly physical stores and competitive pricing of supe...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Assets (2018-2022)
  • Liabilities (2018-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Florists in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?

The market size of the Florists in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £1.1bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Florists in the UK industry in 2024?

There are 7,932 businesses in the Florists in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Florists in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Florists in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Florists in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Florists in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Florists in the UK market in United Kingdom?

The biggest companies operating in the Florists market in United Kingdom are Bloom and Wild Ltd, Freddie's Flowers Ltd and Arena Online Ltd

What does the Florists in the UK in United Kingdom include?

Arranged cut flowers and Giftware are part of the Florists in the UK industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Florists in the UK in United Kingdom?

The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Bloom and Wild Ltd.

How competitive is the Florists in the UK industry in United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Florists in the UK industry in United Kingdom.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Flower & Plant Growing in the UK
  • Flower & Plant Wholesaling in the UK
  • Garden Centres & Pet Shops in the UK

Complementors

  • Fruit & Vegetable Retailers in the UK

International industries

  • Online Flower Shops in the US
  • Florists in Canada
  • Flower Retailing in Australia

View all industries in United Kingdom

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the UK include:

  • Office for National Statistics
  • Office for Budget Responsibility
  • Bank of England

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.