New Year, New Margins: How to Price Your Florals Smarter in 2026
- Archer Okoroafor
- Dec 31, 2025
- 3 min read
Episode 8
Petals, Prices, and Profits: Preparing for 2026
As 2026 New Year dawns, flower costs, tariffs, and global supply chains are more unpredictable than ever. Margins are tight, customer expectations high, and the last thing you want is to scramble on pricing in January. Let’s cut through the chaos and make your new year profitable, without wilting under the pressure.
1. Tariffs and Rising Costs Aren’t Going Away
The U.S. tariffs on imported blooms are still a reality:
10% on South American imports (Colombia, Ecuador)
Up to 30% on Dutch stems
Even if you’re in Canada, these costs trickle north due to shared wholesalers and a weaker CAD. Imported flowers make up the majority of U.S. sales, 88%, according to Rodrigo Leiva of Esmeralda Farms, so ignoring tariffs is not an option.
Key insight: The flower business has thin margins. Absorbing a 10–30% tariff isn’t realistic without adjusting prices. Many shops are already passing these costs to customers while planning for early-season cash flow challenges.
2. Price Labor Properly
Labor isn’t just an add-on, it’s essential to profitability.
Reality check:
Cost + markup + tax + labor = real price
Your floral skill, design expertise, and hours spent arranging should be accounted for, just like a mechanic, lawyer, hairdresser, or dog groomer charges for labour.
3. Offsetting Rising Costs
If imported flowers and glassware are costing more, get creative:
Lean into local blooms. Cheaper, seasonal, and tell a better story
Community contributions. Ask neighbors or local gardeners for spare branches or flowers
Partner with local artists or potters for vases and containers
Offer refills in reusable or upcycled containers
These strategies save money, reinforce sustainability, and add unique value to your arrangements.
4. Preorder and Early Bird Planning
Early ordering is no longer optional. Lock in blooms and prices now to prevent sticker shock later:
Ask suppliers for early-bird specials or guaranteed rates
Secure Valentine’s blooms before Christmas and secure Mother’s Day blooms before Valentine’s Day
Give customers a reason to preorder, “top-shelf blooms, zero chaos” works better than discounts
Transparency builds trust, protects your margins, and ensures quality.
5. Communication is Critical
Kate Penn of SAF emphasizes that florists must maintain clear, proactive communication. Key takeaways:
Be transparent with customers about rising costs
Include disclaimers in contracts for clarity
Keep suppliers, staff, and partners in the loop
Maintain a positive, professional tone when explaining price increases
Good communication reduces misunderstandings and strengthens loyalty.
6. January = Pricing Audit Month
Use January to:
Review last year’s costs, profits, and margins
Adjust for tariffs, inflation, and labor
Confirm seasonal availability and supplier contracts
Decide on markup strategy (percentage vs. flat)
Starting the year with a clear pricing plan protects your shop and sanity.
7. Don’t Go It Alone
Navigating tariffs, rising costs, and staffing challenges is stressful, but you don’t have to do it solo. I specialize in virtual operations and flower shop management, helping you:
Audit systems and invoices
Rework pricing and labour structures
Source creatively while maintaining margins
Streamline workflows and reduce chaos
Final Thoughts
The floral industry has shown resilience through the pandemic and economic challenges, but 2026 is going to demand smart planning, early ordering, and clear communication. With strategic pricing, creative sourcing, and proactive systems, you can protect margins and stay profitable.
💐 Need help with pricing, systems, or workflow planning to start 2026 strong? I’ve got you.
📓 Check out these FREE Resources 📚Read this article from Florists' Review 👉🏼 The impact of the U.S. tariffs on the floral industry
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