Gift Shows For Florists

Gift shows give florists a chance to expand and diversify their offerings. This is a guide to gift shows that may be of interest to flower shops.

Finding it increasingly tough to compete against discount flower sellers many florists have turned to giftware as a way to supplement their offerings. There are a wide array of “gifts” that make a great accompaniment to a bouquet of flowers. Floral themed gifts, such as tote bags or jewelry, are popular, as are items that are traditionally paired with flowers, such as chocolates, candles, or cards.

Experts offer the following tips for florists who are considering branching into giftware:

be sure to check out a few shows each year to stay current on trends.
before you decided to carry a certain product line, ask your supplier if they sell to anyone else in your area. This will help you know if what you are carrying can be easily found elsewhere by your customers.
be creative in your product displays and don’t forget to showcase your main product - flowers- by incorporating arrangements where possible.

There are many different gift shows held throughout the year - some are themed around a holiday or season, while others cater primarily to a certain area of the country (e.g. coastal areas).

Be sure to check FloristWare often for gift show listings in your area!

Popular Gift Shows For Florists

Chicago Merchandise Mart

The epicenter for high design and luxury goods, The Merchandise Mart features retail shops and restaurants, LuxeHome® kitchen and bath boutiques, 11 floors of permanent showrooms for gift, home, outdoor and commercial furnishings, 15 major trade and consumer shows as well as hundreds of meetings and special events.

CMC Gift & Home Market

CMC Gift & Home Market at the California Market Center

Windy City Gift Show

The Windy City Gift Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

Mississippi Market

First introduced in 1996, Mississippi Market Wholesale Show is a yearly event designed to bring Mississippi business owners and artisans together with buyers from around the region. The market is not open to the general public; it is strictly for credentialed retail buyers and Mississippi-based businesses showcasing their Mississippi-made products.