LUBBOCK, Texas
— This is one of the most hectic periods annually for flower stores, coinciding with Mother’s Day and graduation season. However, floral artisans such as Justin Hughes are now experiencing increased pressure along with higher expenses.
“Mother’s Day and graduation keep us going through the summer,” stated Hughes, owner of House of Flowers.
Similar to numerous floral shops, Hughes sources the majority of his flowers from overseas markets such as the U.S., with countries including Colombia and Ecuador providing much of what appears in American flower arrangements. Currently, these imports are facing new tariff challenges.
“I stocked up on all of our containers ahead of time because I knew the tariffs were coming,” Hughes said. “But yes, some of our flower costs have gone up.”
Hughes recently got an email from one supplier informing him of a 5% surcharge on flowers and greenery. And it’s not just the flowers getting more expensive.
“One of our container suppliers provides us with colored glass, but it will take about four to five months as it’s currently stranded on a ship en route from China,” he explained.
Despite this, the orders have not decreased. Hughes and his crew continue to cut stems and fill vases as quickly as possible.
But he’s watching the numbers closely.
As costs increase across the board, flowers have become more of an indulgence,” Hughes stated. “People will prioritize spending on essentials over non-essential items like flowers.
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