Florists NAICS 459310

Aug 27, 2025 - Floral Industry Sees Progress in Sustainability: Survey

• According to a report in Florists’ Review, findings from the 2024 Floriculture Sustainability Survey conducted by North Carolina State University revealed strong interest in sustainability across all floral industry sectors. Funded by the American Floral Endowment’s Sustainabloom program, the survey gathered input from over 100 floraculture businesses. Retail florists and wholesalers plan to implement certain sustainability practices in the future, such as packaging reduction (33%), water conservation (23%), and electric vehicles (23%), noting top barriers to implementation include cost and lack of education. Common current sustainability practices include the use of LEDs, recycling containers, and the use of recycled materials. Per the survey, 90% of florists offer deliveries, with the range of deliveries from 6 to 100 miles. A recent Floral Marketing Fund study reported that nearly 60% of consumers are more likely to buy from environmentally friendly floral providers.
• Employment by florists fell by 1% in June 2025 year over year, continuing an ongoing decline in the industry, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment by florists decreased 10.8% in the past decade, much lower than the 13.2% growth in overall private employment. Meanwhile, wages at miscellaneous retailers, including florists, grew 3.1% in June 2025 year over year. According to the Consumer Price Index, prices for indoor plants and flowers were up 1.3% in July 2025 year over year. Leading industry indicators showed improvement in February 2025, with consumer spending up 2.7% compared to a year ago, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

• Indicators measuring the collective mood of US consumers show mixed signals, with consumer confidence levels slightly up and consumer sentiment falling. Consumer confidence levels, an indicator of discretionary expenditures, improved in July 2025, month over month, rising by 2 points, according to the Consumer Confidence Index. Consumer confidence levels have stabilized since May but remain lower than last year’s, according to The Conference Board, which publishes the monthly index. July’s gain can be attributed to consumers over 35 years old and shared across all income groups, except the lowest income group earning below $15K. In addition, the consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan dropped in August 2025 for the first time in four months. The index fell to 58.6 in preliminary August data from 61.7 in July. Year-ahead inflation expectation results were higher monthly, as consumers convey lingering anxiety about prices amid tariff impacts. The index serves as a predictor of consumer spending as it indicates consumers’ perception of their financial prospects and the broader economy.
• The Retail Trade Industry is one of 11 industries reporting growth in July’s Services ISM Report on Business. Executives in the Retail Trade industry reported an increase in business activity, prices paid for materials and services, employment, and inventories, along with faster supply deliveries and a decrease in order backlogs in July. Additional industries reporting growth during the period were Transportation & Warehousing; Wholesale Trade; Finance & Insurance; Other Services; Management of Companies & Support Services; Public Administration; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Information; Utilities; and Health Care & Social Assistance. Seven industries reporting contraction during the period were Accommodation & Food Services; Construction; Mining; Educational Services; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. Overall, economic activity in the services sector grew in July for the second consecutive month, with the Services PMI registering 50.1%.