With Valentine’s Day around the corner, El Paso flower shops share their experience with the holiday, as they prepare custom orders and flower arrangements to celebrate the love season and offer customers some tips and tricks for the love season.
El Paso TX Flowers administrator and UTEP business student, Cristina Portillo says their small business starts preparing for Valentine’s Day orders since November.
“Valentine’s Day is very busy and preparing is key. Pre-booking fresh floral supply started in November 2021 to lock in price and availability,” Portillo said.
COVID-19 made it hard for the shop to obtain merchandise and caused higher prices.
“COVID has made it worse, there are shortages across the board. Shortages of growers, truck drivers, glass shortage, basket weaver shortages, and higher gas prices,” Portillo said.
Portillo said the most popular flowers on Valentine’s Day are red roses. Following suit are pink roses and red carnations.
One of El Paso TX Flowers favorite arrangements is their “Flirty Fondness” arrangement, and the arrangement contains hot pink roses, blue iris, hot pink carnations, and purple statice.
El Paso TX Flowers will have an early bird sale, all orders prepaid by Feb.10 will receive a free balloon bouquet and 10% off their total purchase for orders over $29, Portillo said.
Angie’s Flowers El Paso stores, Event Manager, Erika Pegueros said the stores offer many sales and promotions for customers to celebrate Valentine’s Day, this year.
“We have some great promotions at the moment, where our clients get free gifts. Ranging from a box of Belgian gourmet truffles, teddy bears, or chocolate-covered strawberries. Depending on the different deals that we have,” Pegueros said.
In order to keep Valentine’s day buyers coming back for all their flower needs, Angie’s flowers has a “VIP Club” where customers a part of the club can enjoy special deals, perks and early notifications on special offers.
Angie’s Flowers starts preparing for Valentine’s Day around Christmas time.
“We actually organize a bigger team because we are prepared to make 1,200 deliveries,” Pegueros said.
At El Paso TX Flowers, employees must work longer hours before and on Valentine’s Day.
“It is a challenge, so much monetary investment, time and effort is put into the holiday for a single day. Almost four days of limited or no sleep. Still, we manage to enjoy every minute of the workload,” Portillo said.
Valentine’s Day shoppers should not wait till the last minute to buy flowers since this is the busiest time of year for any florist, Pegueros said.
“I would say to just place their order two weeks ahead or even a week before. It’s not too early,” Pegueros said.
Julia Lucero is a contributor and may be reached at [email protected].
