The quarantine restrictions which started last March put a lot of business operations on hold. The flower vendors in Dangwa were not spared from the ill effects of the pandemic, as most of the events were either canceled or postponed. Not to mention that people were confined in their homes and were not allowed to visit their loved ones.
According to Chai Raceles, co-owner of Wilma’s Flower Shop, Covid-19 has greatly affected Dangwa vendors. A number of store owners had to close their business because they cannot pay the rent anymore.
For more than two decades, her store has been flourishing. They were able to keep their store open throughout the lockdown period. But to be able to thrive during that period, they had to sell food in front of their flower shop, for additional income. However, their combined earnings are not enough to cover all expenses.
As most thriving businesses during the enhanced community quarantine were conducted online, they decided to bring their flower shop in cyberspace, as well. It was a good decision on their part, as the demand for dried flowers went up. By August, more home-bound people were looking into redecorating their homes, and they needed dried flowers for that.
Image: Facebook/Raceles Chai
When she saw the opportunity, Chai ordered more dried flowers, in place of the usual fresh ones.
“Dahil nag-click ito [dried flowers] sa aming pag-o-online selling, unti-unti na naming naaayos ang aming shop at naipo-provide na nito ang mga pangangailangan namin,” Chai shares.
Image: Facebook/Raceles Chai
Currently, 95 percent of her orders are dried flowers. Her online flower shop, Wilma’s Flower Shop, is offering a variety of dried flowers that cost around P300 to P1,000 a bunch.
Business in bloom
With such success, one can conclude that the online flower shop is, indeed, blooming.
Today might not be the best time to sell fresh flowers but there is an opportunity with the dried ones. It just a matter of spotting where the best opportunities lie.
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