Get Well

Dear valued Belflora Newcastle Customers, There are three (3) issues related to my business that I would like to share with you today.

Firstly, due to COVID 19 restrictions people not able to leave their homes, others working from home, schools and restaurant closures, etc our online sales have increased from upwards of 50% and with our store still open during this period and experiencing higher workload. Our staff, which pride themselves on customer service, executing orders from web site and  phone orders and also ensuring  and working tirelessly towards our shop always looking at a presentable high standard, we have unfortunately had many phone calls gone unanswered many emails have not been responded to, to the usual high standard of service that our customers are accustomed to, for this we apoligise.

Secondly, the wholesale price of fresh flowers has increased from 80% to a 100% compared to the same period last year (except for Australian native flowers which have seen rises from 10% to 20%).

Also, it is common knowledge in our industry that more than 50% of fresh flowers sold in both our supermarkets and retail stores, are imported product with the major country exporting to Australia being Ecuador, Columbia, Kenya and Malaysia. With the restrictions of flights experienced at the moment it means that air freight has increased in many cases more than 300% leading to higher wholesale flower prices that the industry has ever seen before.

Adding to the fact that winter is here (fewer flowers are produced in Australia at this time) and many local farms being in between crops this leads to the wholesale price of fresh flowers at record highs and shortages. With many wholesalers reporting that they are unable to fulfill florist orders. This current situation that we are all facing has unfortunately seen our flower bouquets and arrangements not as impressive as they normally would be.

Thirdly, after having consulted with both importers and local growers, the shortages and increased wholesale prices currently being experienced could be the new normal for the next 3 to 6 months. Having said all of that, we ask if at all possible you could give us 1 to 2 days notice when requiring a flower delivery, as we are finding it increasingly difficult to commit to our same day order and deliver service, due to such low numbers of flower availability at this time we are finding that we are running out of flowers earlier than normal.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my customers for the great support of Belflora during these difficult times.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Tony Murdocca