Building up trust and working at consumer relationships is perhaps the first and foremost business objective. Business is not a cut and run affair, developing long term relationships with customers gives better returns. At Valentines Day more than any other time, trust is essential between florists and customers.

There is a lot of scepticism; customers thinking florists are ripping them off when the price of red Roses shoots up, so personal client relationships are very important at this time of year. Here are some key ideas for greater sales this Valentines Day.

• Made with love is a great theme for Valentines to show you care about the products you are designing and selling.

• Florist shops are generally small family run businesses; promote this as a way of establishing trust with your customers.

• If you are lucky enough to be in a second or third generation business promote this, customers love a solid family business that is still dynamic today.

• Show the advantages of the personal service that customers will receive in a flower shop.

• Don’t miss opportunities to tell customers of your success stories and special promotions.

• Don’t sell the same styles every year. Upgrade your range of Valentines gifts to give something sparky, fun and new.

• To uplift even the smallest Valentines gift choose from the huge range of OASIS® Floral Products.

• Be quick off the mark; don’t let opportunities for sales slip away, be the first with quotes for restaurant flowers and Valentines events.

• Finally have fun; a happy shop is a place where it’s a pleasure to shop.