How much profit can a flower shop make? Are flowers a huge profit? How is the floral industry?

[Hua11.com Original] We are often asked several typical questions, two of which are most frequently asked:

1. "How is the floral industry? Is there a promising future in this business?"

2. "How much profit is there exactly in flowers? Is it a huge profit?"

The background of these questions is that students usually are not engaged in the floral industry but have sensitively noticed and realized that this industry is in the early stage of explosive growth. However, they are not sure, so they have doubts.


Below, Hua11.com attempts to answer this question from two aspects: market demand and industry trends.



I. Market Demand

The purposes of many Hua11.com students are very clear: they want to become florists or open flower shops or floral studios (for career choices, please refer to this article: "[Hua11.com · Career Analysis Series 1] I have a job, but I really like flowers. Should I resign and enter the flower industry?").

But what is the current market demand situation? To put it bluntly, can one support oneself by engaging in this industry?


According to the data obtained from the Hua11.com backend, professional class students no longer come exclusively from first-tier cities. The number of students from second, third, and fourth-tier cities is gradually increasing and is distributed in a scattered manner (that is, no particular city stands out significantly, but rather the distribution is relatively average). Of course, because our headquarters are in Guangzhou, most students come from Guangdong and South China, but the distribution remains balanced. Moreover, because our products closely follow popular market trends, the fact that students choose us demonstrates the relatively high acceptance of our style in the entire domestic market.

Therefore, apart from the social demand for flowers, people's aesthetic level for flower works is gradually improving based on the acceptance of popular styles.


Let's consider a recent example. We have a professional class student from a third-tier city in Guangdong. Recognizing the market opportunity of the greatly increased demand for Qixi bouquets, she enrolled at Hua11.com before Qixi. Even though she had not completed the course (due to our flexible appointment system), she decorated her local flower shop while studying and opened it before Qixi. As a result, she sold more than 80 bouquets of flowers on Qixi Day (with over 30 reserved), earning back several times the tuition fee.


This example highlights two things:

1. The product style of Hua11.com closely aligns with market demand.

2. In non-first-tier cities, style requirements have significantly improved, reaching the aesthetic level of first-tier cities. Importantly, at this point in time, in second, third, and fourth-tier cities, demand and supply are mismatched. Customers have quality demands, but the supply side (competent florists, floral studios, or flower shops) cannot keep up.


In summary, the good days for competent florists have just begun! However, it's essential to note that running a successful flower shop or floral studio requires not only good craftsmanship but also effective management. Only with good management can your excellent craftsmanship find a stage to shine. This is one of the main reasons why Hua11.com aims to write the book "How to Run a Flower Shop and Floral Studio."


Let me share another fascinating statistic. In the central urban area of Guangzhou, one of the designated physical flower shop training points for Hua11.com—an established flower shop—more than 20 flower shops have sprung up in just two neighboring communities. Interestingly, some of these neighboring flower shops are only 5 meters apart. Each shop has a distinct positioning, yet they all thrive. But why?

The answer lies in robust market demand, which continues to grow year by year. Commercial flowers, with an emphasis on quality and cost-effectiveness, have become increasingly popular. Simultaneously, household flowers have gained widespread acceptance, contributing to the overall prosperity of the industry. A recent example: On Valentine's Day, roses in the wholesale market sold out, leaving many flower shops unable to restock—a clear testament to the high volume of market demand.


Despite this success, the domestic flower market in China still has immense untapped potential compared to developed countries. Public data reveals that daily flower consumption in countries like the United States and the Netherlands accounts for a staggering 40% to 60% of overall consumption. In contrast, China's share is a mere 5%. Financial institutions predict that by 2020, the domestic daily flower market will reach a substantial 30-40 billion yuan, promising a bright future.


In the face of such a vibrant industry, our path forward is clear: Stay true to our original aspirations, make deliberate choices, and let industry growth propel us to new heights. The prerequisite? Unwavering motivation, hard work, and fearlessness in the face of challenges—qualities essential for success in any career.



II. Flower Profit

Now, let's explore the profitability of flowers. Drawing from our experience operating multiple physical stores, I can offer this initial conclusion: Flowers themselves are highly profitable.

However, there are prerequisites—chiefly, efficiency.


What does this mean? Consider a bouquet retailing at 400 yuan. By controlling flower material and accessory costs within 120-150 yuan, you can double or triple your profit. In peak seasons, this margin can even reach 5-6 times the cost.

But here's the catch: If you sell only one bouquet daily, your turnover remains limited. Even with a threefold profit, your revenue would be 12,000 yuan per month. In locations where a bouquet fetches 400 yuan, costs may be relatively higher, resulting in minimal profit or just breaking even.

Efficiency matters. As you sell more each day, profit increases. The law of marginal effect comes into play: Selling 10 bouquets at the same price could reduce the cost per bouquet. Factors like wastage, inventory management, and human resources influence this.


Hua11.com's Practical Floral Training model combines artistry with management. Elevating management skills ensures students truly realize the high profit potential of flowers.



III. Industry Trends

So, what will the future of the floral industry look like? Beyond social demand, we believe it largely depends on the collective thoughts and actions of florists as a group.

Floral art is a craft, and a defining feature of the craft industry is that every artisan aspires to open their own shop or studio and establish a personal brand. Due to limitations in human and energy resources, most flower shops remain relatively small-scale (often referred to as having a low ceiling, meaning income is easily capped). This phenomenon is entirely normal.

However, if our community of florists leans slightly toward a cooperative approach rather than intense competition, the industry's development could take an interesting turn. Imagine floral practitioners who combine craftsmanship with strong management skills, forming comprehensive brands (not just individual ones). Social resources would flow toward these brands, attracting even more skilled florists to contribute their unique brands. This symbiotic ecosystem resembles the alliances seen among original clothing brands (albeit in a more abstract sense). I plan to delve deeper into this concept in a future article.



In summary, the profession of a florist holds promise, and the floral industry is experiencing a vibrant period of growth. Choosing this career path won't leave you with regrets.

I hope this inspires readers. Thank you.



Copyright Statement:

This article is an original creation by Hua11.com and is included in the “How to Run a Flower Shop and Floral Studio” Ebook. The content of this article may be periodically updated and is initially published on the Hua11.com official website blog. You can find the article at this link: https://hua11.com/blog/4664.html.

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The work titled “How to Run a Flower Shop and Floral Studio” is copyrighted by Hua11.com. Additionally, the “Practical Floral Training” model and the concept of “Light Decoration” are original creations by Hua11.com. The trademark “花艺意” is registered and protected by relevant national laws.