Easter is coming – and fast! It’s upon us two weeks earlier this year than last year. Easter ranks fourth in holiday flower sales, behind Christmas/Hanukkah, Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, with customers spending over a billion dollars a year for their Easter flowers. Time to get hopping and make this Easter the most profitable ever!

Make sure the Easter Bunny visits your store

Pastel colors, eggs, bunnies – these all come to mind when thinking about Easter decorations. Make large, creative displays in your windows and throughout the store, using light shades of blue, pink, green, yellow and lavender. Ensure you have special “impulse buy” items available at the cash register that customers can add to their flower arrangements, like chocolate bunnies and eggs, marshmallow peeps and jelly beans – always a favorite! This way, you can ensure everyone thinks YOUR STORE when they think EASTER.

Stock up on Lilies – the flower of the Easter Season

The Easter lily continues to reign supreme at Easter time, decorating houses and churches. Review previous years’ orders and sales to make sure you have enough lilies in stock and create beautiful displays of lilies throughout your store. Take the opportunity to go through your customer database and send a targeted promotion to local churches, reminding them that you have plenty of lilies in stock for their Easter needs!

Spread Easter Joy across your Social Media feeds

Take advantage of Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to get everyone in the Easter spirit. Create a few Easter flower arrangements and advertise them on your social media pages as special/limited editions. Design a virtual “Easter egg hunt” on your website or Facebook page, where customers can click on an egg and win a special prize – like a discount on a floral arrangement or a free chocolate Easter bunny. There are so many ways to use social media to create an Easter buzz around your store, and any time doing this will be time well spent!

Hold Special Easter Sales

From limited-time offers, to daily deals, special sales or coupons, make sure your customers know they will be rewarded for shopping with you this Easter season. Remember to focus on what your customers want: great value! Promote your sales in your window, on social media, and on your website. Invite regular customers to bring a friend to your store and give them a discount on their Easter arrangement when they do – it’s a win-win for them and for you.

Get your profits hopping!