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Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Jullian Guirguis Jullian Guirguis New York, United States Last Updated: March 2024 NAICS 42493

Revenue

$19.7bn

2024

$19.7bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

57,150

Businesses

10,230

Wages

$X.Xbn

Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry analysis

Flower and nursery stock wholesalers encountered some complications during the COVID-19 pandemic because of operational restrictions, supply chain disruptions and fluctuating end-market performance. However, a surge in funeral services because of COVID-related deaths allowed the industry to remain performant despite prolonged slowdowns in other events like weddings and parties. Meanwhile, traditional sales channels – like suppliers and importers that sell flowers and nursery stock in bulk to wholesalers – have endured shrinking sales themselves, and accounted for less than half of total industry transactions. In fact suppliers and importers have increasingly sold premade products to retailers directly, bypassing industry companies and causing many companies to exit. Despite these challenges, flower and nursery stock wholesalers have remained relevant by lowering prices and focusing on offering unique products and services. Flower and Nursery Stock Wholesaling industry revenue has been expanding at a CAGR of 2.9% over the past few years and is expected to total $19.7 billion in 2024, when revenue will drop by an estimated 0.1%.

Trends and Insights

  • The need for wholesalers dwindles as local growers increasingly opt to sell their products directly to retailers. Wholesalers are responding to this by delving into new activities.
  • Bedding and garden potted plants remain the industry’s largest product segment. Potted flowering plants also account for a significant portion of demand.
  • Flower and Nursery Stock Wholesaling concentration in the Southeast region reflects Florida's importance as an international port. Florida has the second-most wholesaling establishments in the country.
  • Wholesaling companies in this industry compete based on price to remain attractive while maintaining a bottom line. Downstream industries aim to cut costs by buying flowers and nursery stock at the lowest possible price to maximize profit.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $19.7bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The pandemic stifled demand from some markets, while other markets flourished

  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, nonessential businesses were forced to temporarily close to slow the spread of the virus. This had multiple effects on the Flower and Nursery Stock Wholesaling industry, as wholesalers – along with their upstream suppliers and many downstream buyers – were not operating for an extended period of time.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US
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

The Flower and Nursery Stock Wholesaling industry will see growth in the coming years

  • Consumer spending will continue to be strong amid higher disposable income levels and low unemployment. The declared end of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2023 will also benefit the industry.

Biggest companies in the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($short_0)
2024
Profit ($short_0)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Bedding/garden potted plants, Potted flowering plants and Herbaceous perennials. Bedding/garden potted plants is the largest segment of the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US.

Trends and Insights

The industry sells two main types of products

  • The Flower and Nursery Stock Wholesaling industry sells various products that can be sorted into two main categories: floral stock and nursery stock. Floral stock includes products like potted plants and cut flowers, while nursery stock includes products like grasses and bushes.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this industry sell flowers, nursery stock and florists' supplies to retail outlets. Distributors purchase flowers and stock for nurseries from farmers and buy florists' supplies from various manufacturers. This industry is not involved in the growing of flowers or plants, nor does it distribute Christmas trees, plant seeds or bulbs.

What's included in this industry?

Bedding/garden potted plantsPotted flowering plantsHerbaceous perennialsFlatsOther supplies and growing materialsCut flowersHanging basketsCut greens

Companies

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

Related Terms

DROP-SHIPPINGMASS MERCHANDISERETHYLENEFLORAL WIRE SERVICEPROPAGATIVE MATERIAL

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 42493 - Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US

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

The need for wholesalers dwindles as local growers increasingly opt to sell their products directly to retailers. Wholesalers are responding to this by delving into new activ...

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

Bedding and garden potted plants remain the industry’s largest product segment. Potted flowering plants also account for a significant portion of demand.

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

Flower and Nursery Stock Wholesaling concentration in the Southeast region reflects Florida's importance as an international port. Florida has the second-most wholesaling est...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

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

Tables

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

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, 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

Wholesaling companies in this industry compete based on price to remain attractive while maintaining a bottom line. Downstream industries aim to cut costs by buying flowers a...

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

Flower and Nursery Stock Wholesaling is a highly fragmented industry with no major players. According to US Census Bureau data, the four largest companies account for less th...

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

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

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

    Analyst insights

    Patent infringement is punishable by fines and other legal repercussions. US patent and trademark laws relate to the protection of intellectual property rights.

    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

    The practice of retailers sourcing products directly from growers has negatively affected industry profitability. Profitability and downstream demand also rise during economi...

    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

    • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
    • Income Statement (2017-2022)
    • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
    • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
    • 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 Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry in United States is $19.7bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry in 2024?

    There are 10,230 businesses in the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 2.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

    What does the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US in United States include?

    Bedding/garden potted plants and Potted flowering plants are part of the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry.

    How competitive is the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is high and steady in the Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in the US industry in United States.

    Related Industries

    Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

    Competitors

    • Nursery & Garden Stores in the US

    Complementors

    • Plant & Flower Growing in the US
    • Florists in the US

    International industries

    • Flower & Nursery Stock Wholesaling in Canada
    • Livestock and Other Agricultural Supplies Wholesaling in Australia
    • Livestock and Other Agricultural Supplies Wholesaling in New Zealand
    • Flower & Plant Wholesaling in the UK

    View all industries in United States

    Methodology

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    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 US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    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.

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