No price too high when it comes to true love

 

Romantic gesture: Frankie Teo, 25, (left) buying flowers for LiHoong Lee, 25, at Petaling Street. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: True love and romance may cost a little more than usual this Valentine’s Day but this has not stopped lovers from snapping up the pricier bouquets. Florist Beatrice Lam said there is always demand for flowers on occasions such as Valentine’s Day.

“Business is brisk this year.

“Last year, Valentine’s Day fell on the third day of Chinese New Year and was on a weekend, so business was slightly slower.

“People usually like to surprise their loved ones and have flowers delivered to their workplaces.

“We depend a lot on regular customers and we want to give them the best service,” she said.

Lam added that she started receiving orders for Valentine’s Day bouquets in early January.

“We were not taking orders initially as we were not sure of the price of flowers or if there would be enough supply.

“Although the price of flowers increased by 20% this year, many people are still willing to spend money on getting Valentine’s Day bouquets.

“Most of our customers pre-order. There will only be a handful of last minute walk-in customers, who will usually take a bouquet of soap flowers.

“We concentrate on fresh flowers and money bouquets,” said the 40-year-old florist.

Another florist, Adren Ong, 28, said orders for Valentine’s Day bouquets started coming in a week ago.

“Although the price of flowers has increased, we are still enjoying brisk business.

“The more common orders include the usual red roses and lilies as well as special orders whereby customers ask me to create money bouquets.

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most of my customers called to order. We will deliver for free to those who are nearby and have delivery charges for locations that are far from my shop,” he said.

The Star recently reported that there is a global shortage of flowers, said to be unprecedented, that is driving up prices of blooms at a time when the world celebrates the annual day of love and its Chinese equivalent (Chap Goh Meh, the 15th and last day of Chinese New Year) on Feb 14 and 15, respectively.

Malaysian floriculture produce for both domestic and export markets include roses, gerberas, carnations, sunflowers, baby’s breath, hydrangeas, cut leaves and decorative plants. - Star