Valentine’s Day is the busiest time of the year for many florists, but especially the florist, Doris in Thornton Heath. On a rainy afternoon the workers at Doris kindly agreed to spare me some of their time only two days before Valentine’s Day, so I could have an insight into their preparations.
As expected the florist has to have more flowers delivered especially ‘traditional red roses’, but not only flowers, at Doris they have lots of gifts for Valentine’s Day to go with flowers. ‘Teddies, chocolates and balloons’ to name a few. Doris is located right next to Thornton Heath Train Station and therefore has many last minute customers, who buy Valentine gifts on the day. According to the workers at Doris, ‘the gender that makes last minute purchases most commonly are men’ they say with fits of laughter. They believe Valentine’s Day is a man’s thing; they buy the extravagant gifts and bunches of flowers.
The most popular choice of flowers is ‘12 red roses’, although a combination of ‘lilies and roses come a close second’. After being asked what the most unusual request they have ever had for Valentine’s Day is they replied ‘Nothing really, apart from the obvious. Going a little bit fruity with some bouquets, people bringing in their own gifts for us to wrap and some go a little on the sexy side.’
The price range in the florist is ‘a little bit more expensive that your local supermarket’ although it is clear to see the reason, the quality of the flowers are much better. The manager of Doris believes that the local supermarkets are putting her out of business. Her competition is especially high as her store is right next to a large popular supermarket brand store. She says with a sigh that florists are a ‘dying breed’ and it really ‘gets [her] goat up’ that supermarkets steal her customers.
