Flower wholesale delivery route

Independent florists, wedding and event designers, grocery stores, restaurants and hotels that buy flowers regularly.

You sell at a markup on what you buy, usually by the bunch or box. Standing weekly orders and minimum order sizes keep delivery runs worthwhile.

• Knowing flower varieties and freshness
• Sales and relationship building
• Route planning and early starts
• Careful stock and order tracking

• Flowers are perishable, so unsold stock is a direct loss; start with pre-agreed orders
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you store stock or run admin from home
• Commercial general liability and commercial vehicle insurance; check that your auto policy covers business deliveries
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial rules on sales tax for resale
• Demand peaks around Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and wedding season, with quieter winter months
• If you import directly, check Canada Border Services Agency and CFIA plant import requirements first

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your vehicle, cold storage and opening stock. Flowers are perishable, so unsold stock is a direct loss. Starting with pre-agreed orders can reduce that risk.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many trade buyers you supply. Demand peaks around Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and wedding season, with quieter winter months. Figures are before costs.

Check commercial general liability and commercial vehicle insurance, including whether your auto policy covers business deliveries. Check GST/HST registration and provincial resale rules, home-based licence rules if you store stock at home, and CBSA and CFIA rules if importing.