Florists in Bangalore face losses as citizens prefer online stores to get flowers and bouquets over road side stalls.
Roses are red, violets are blue, a choice so difficult to chose between the two. Preetham wandered about in confusion not knowing where to buy a single stem flower. No florist at sight.
Preetham, a photographer, who owns Shot Time Productions, said, “I have done a few marriage shoots and I almost always prefer buying flowers from road side florists. It is fresh and the option is much more feasible.” He added, “Lately I don’t spot many florists selling flowers on any sidewalk. It has made our decoration team chose to buy flower sets from online forums.”
Ravi Suddheer, a florist who has his stall in Koramangala for over 20 years now, said, “Recently I have been earning a bare minimum of Rs.200 a day. I used to earn Rs.9000 to Rs. 9500 a month, a few years ago, which had been sufficient until the cost of living in Bangalore had increased.” He added that he saw a rapid decline as online platforms like Zepto and Big Basket have options to buy flowers and bouquets with just an easy tap on the phone.
Amar Hussain Altaf, a florist in Frazer town said that severe losses over the last four years had forced him to close his business. He did, however, add that his son had finally suggested they collaborate with event organizers after learning about large-scale floral arrangements for events like weddings and other gatherings. Unfortunately, the organizers had rejected him.
Amar’s son, Ashiq said, “Bulk purchase chains and online stores usually tie up with road side stalls to send out flowers. Unfortunately, our collection of flowers was basic and had not met with their expectations which only made us close our stall.
Raju, a delivery man who works for Zepto said, “Last Valentine’s Day had the highest request for bouquets, I delivered over 100 flowers and bouquets that day. We go to any store like Ferns and Petals or Sai Flower Store to get the order.”
He added, “There have been many instances where orders are nearby a flower shop on a sidewalk and hence it has been easier for me to get an order from there like a single stem flower or basic bouquets.”
Mayuri, who recently bought flowers for an occasion said, “I celebrated my friend’s birthday last week and I had ordered flowers online. I never really bought flowers from online stores before until I found out that they have different varieties and that they come with nice vases and pretty decorations. It saves me so much time as I would not need to go to three different stores to get the things I’d get it with me just spending two minutes online.”
Karina, a student from St. Joseph Institute of Management, said, “We hold several fests in our college and to inaugurate an event or give bouquets to the guests for judging a particular event,our first choice used to be Karan Bhaiya who has a stall nearby. However, recently a lot of us just order in bulk the day before and get done with it.” She added, “It is more expensive but it saves us time.”Karan Bhaiya is over 67 years- old; he is not in the condition to deliver flowers. He also does not have any help in the stall.”
Preetham who had recently proposed to his girlfriend said that, “I had just finished setting my studio for a wedding shoot and I was late to meet my girlfriend. It was our second anniversary and I had to get her a gift. Thankfully I was meeting her near a temple and I had found a flower shop just right next to the place.”
Gowriamma, an owner of a small flower stall outside Anjinayar Temple, Koramangala said, “My husband used to have a big flower stall near MG Road a few years ago. We had been earning nearly Rs. 400 a day but it very quickly decreased to Rs.50 or nothing. I took the decision to set up a stall outside the temple and it has helped contribute to the family. My husband now works as a delivery man in a food chain.”
An employee from Ferns and Petals said, “We usually receive five to 10 orders a day and it depends on the season. It keeps changing. We have orders that are meant for events, personal orders and others.”
Ms. Khuteja, an economics professor at St. Francis College, said, “Demands meet supply as all know. Here the case is really about easier access and options to get things at one’s doorstep. The losses that road side stalls face is indeed an issue that should not take place as their livelihoods run with the money that they get. Wholesale sellers should take in consideration of all road side stalls and see it as an investment as it would be easier to sell with them on their side.”
