Karen Barnes is an expert at identifying and interpreting key seasonal trends and translating them into commercial opportunities for florists. Jump to: Karen's Hand Tied Summer Design in a Wicker Basket Asymmetrical Tropical Design Staying ahead of seasonal trends is essential for any successful florist, and Summer 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Karen Barnes from the Interflora Floristry Trade Club explores the emerging “Wild Poise” trend, a beautiful

For many of us florists, the floral calendar is built around the familiar occasions and peaks such as: Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Easter, weddings, funerals, Christmas and yet between the Spring season and the Summer wedding season, we have one of the most rewarding opportunities for our businesses: Teacher Thank You Week. This is a chance for us to showcase small, suitable gifts for a pupil to say thank you to their teachers. As florists, we're not simply selling flowers

Father’s Day is a big occasion and although not as big as Mother’s Day for us florists, we should not forget that we can create more business and more awareness of our expertise when creating gifts for loved ones and special occasions. Father’s Day can mean so much to so many of us and when we have an opportunity to say, “I love you”, “Thank you for everything”, “Thank you for always being there”, what could be a better way, than giving flowers or a beautiful plant? There

In an era where convenience often trumps craftsmanship, floristry remains one of the few retail sectors where detail is not just important, it is everything. “Retail is Detail” is more than a catchy phrase; it is a philosophy that separates thriving florists from those merely surviving. From the angle of a bouquet to the scent that greets a customer at the door, every touchpoint contributes to perception, loyalty, and ultimately, profitability. For florists, detail is very im

Summer weddings have a magic all of their own. Long days, golden evenings and gardens in full bloom, create the perfect backdrop for unforgettable celebrations. Flowers can make or break a wedding day because at the heart of a beautiful, emotional and special day are flowers. Flowers soften spaces, tell stories, and bring a couple’s vision to life. But while floral dreams may be limitless, budgets often are not! The good news? With thoughtful planning and a little creativity,

Many florists enter the industry because of a passion for flowers and design. However, creativity alone cannot sustain a business. Every bouquet sold must cover not only the cost of flowers but also labour, packaging, rent, utilities, delivery, and waste. When these elements are overlooked, florists may unknowingly underprice their work. A bouquet priced purely on instinct or competitor comparison can quickly erode profit margins. In contrast, florists who understand their tr

Invaluable advise from floristry industry consultant and wedding expert Karen Barnes.

Leading floral industry consultant Karen Barnes offers top tips on making floral installations successful and profitable.

Karen Barnes shares her expert advice on delivering successful and profitable weddings and events.

April is one of the most inspiring months in the floristry calendar. This is my favourite season, so full of optimism and newness, gorgeous Spring bulbs, bright colours and flowers that shout sunshine. For florists, April flowers offer a powerful opportunity to inspire customers, celebrate seasonality, and bring the feeling of spring into homes. For florists, this is more than a seasonal shift; it’s an opportunity to help customers bring that sense of optimism indoors throug

Karen Barnes is an expert at identifying and interpreting key seasonal trends and translating them into commercial opportunities for florists. Jump to: Spring Trends Spring Hand-Tied Spring Vessel Arrangement Minimalist Spring Arrangement Watch how Karen brings popular spring trends to life. Discussing colours, designs and packaging to inspire your spring range. Showcasing three designs that will be featured in future videos. Karen also offers insight into why it is important

Top industry consultant Karen Barnes shares her experiences of destination weddings; hard work but always fabulous!

Easter is a growing retail opportunity for florists. Easter is not just a small seasonal event—it’s a major spring retail opportunity driven by home decorating, gifting, and family gatherings. By focusing on seasonal flowers, gift bundles, table décor, and early promotions, florists can significantly increase sales during the Easter period. I have found that over the years in retail floristry, Easter has had its highs and lows, but in recent times, especially in the UK, spend

How do you deal with a difficult bride without losing the contract? Karen Barnes shares her tips and explains why diplomacy is so important.

Karen Barnes explains why PR matters and shares her tips for generating valuable free media coverage through careful planning.