September was packed with insights, strategies, and inspiration from our Bloom Show correspondents. Each brought their unique perspective—whether it’s mass-market retail, consumer behavior, shop profitability, event design, or seasonal styling—helping the floral community learn, adapt, and grow. Here’s what stood out from last month’s episodes and blogs.
Technology & Mass-Market Trends with Joe Don Zetzsche
Mass retail isn’t tiptoeing into AI—it’s sprinting. Joe Don spotlighted how major players are building AI into the core of operations and what that means for floral data, inventory accuracy, and supplier expectations. The message for our side of the supply chain: item-level IDs (by variety and color) unlock the future—recipes, perpetual inventory, and clean reporting that keeps floral prioritized. “Retail is not dipping its toe in AI anymore. It is cannonballing right in.”
👉 Catch Joe Don Zetzsche of Rocking Bar Z every 2nd Friday on The Bloom Show.
Consumer Research & Floral Behavior with Dr. Melinda Knuth
Melinda connected sustainability signals with real buyer behavior: packaging matters, credible claims command a premium, and floral consumers specifically will pay more for practices they recognize (composting waste, reusable/recyclable materials, local sourcing). In her episode, she reminded retailers to observe where customers’ eyes linger—attention predicts intent. As she writes, “Clear words lead to consistent actions.” Align your proposals, SOPs, and training around precise terms so staff language matches customer values.
👉 Dr. Melinda Knuth from NC State University appears on The Bloom Show Correspondent every first Friday of the quarter.
Sales, Service & Shop Profitability with Tim Huckabee
Tim tackled two profit killers head-on: the budget question and “stuffing” arrangements. Lead with occasion and feeling, anchor a profitable price with a vivid design description, and step options down slightly—never below professional thresholds. On the ops side, spot-check cooler designs, set productivity standards, and give your whole team access to POS (no paper + double entry). “Customers don’t need another order-taker. They need a guide.”
👉 Tune in with Tim Huckabee of The Profitable Florist every 3rd Friday on The Bloom Show.
Event Creation, Culture & the Power of Sharing with Bill Schaffer
Bill’s first correspondent episode reframed sharing as the “operating system” of floristry—across educators, wholesalers, growers, event teams, and schools. From post-harvest data to color standards, transparency lifts every link in the chain and strengthens outcomes for consumers. His challenge to the industry is simple and bold: “Knowledge only grows when it is given away.”
👉 Join Bill Schaffer on The Bloom Show every last Friday of the month.
Floral Design & Seasonal Styling with Nita Robertson
Nita’s seasonal piece made the business case for dried flowers: low waste, shelf-stable, shippable, and workshop-friendly—while delivering rich textures and autumnal color stories. Blend with fresh stems for centerpieces, build wreaths and wall hangings, and package mini dried bouquets as add-ons online and at checkout. “Dried flowers aren’t just a trend. They’re a smart, stylish, and sustainable choice that allows florists to design with creativity, purpose, and longevity in mind.”
👉 Follow Nita Robertson of Jolo Flowers for her monthly insight blogs featured on The Bloom Show website.
Final Thought
September’s correspondent conversations revealed something bigger than individual insights—they revealed how each piece connects to strengthen the floral industry. Joe Don reminded us that technology and clean data are no longer optional; they’re survival tools. Melinda showed us that consumer trust and clarity can turn sustainability into growth. Tim challenged shops to raise the bar on service and sales habits, while Bill reminded us that sharing knowledge is the lifeblood of innovation. And Nita showed how even design choices like dried florals can unite creativity, sustainability, and profitability.
Together, these perspectives remind us that growth in floriculture is not one-dimensional. It’s data, it’s people, it’s storytelling, and it’s design. When all of these elements come together, they create an industry that is not only more resilient but also more inspiring for the generations to come.
Upcoming Shows
October continues the conversation with fresh correspondent episodes and blogs—covering retail technology, shop profitability, consumer behavior, event trends, and seasonal design inspiration. Stay tuned to The Bloom Show for insights that move the floral community forward.
- October 14 at 1 PM EST: The Bloom Show: SAF President Lori Wheat on Her Top Priorities for the Floral Industry
- October 17 at 1 PM EST: The Bloom Show Correspondent: Tim Huckabee | EP 2 – Proven Sales Training Every Florist Should Know
- October 21 at 1 PM EST: The Bloom Show: Holly Haveman on Winning SAF’s Marketer of the Year Award
Our Message to the Community
The Bloom Show is more than conversation—it’s about collaboration. Our correspondents share openly, so every florist, grower, wholesaler, and designer across the Americas can keep moving forward together. If you want to stay connected with their insights, join our New Bloom Media newsletter, where we feature monthly correspondent highlights alongside industry news, tools, and opportunities to grow.
Together, we’re proving that when knowledge is shared and voices are amplified, the floral community thrives. 🌸
