NAALDWIJK, the Netherlands, December 22,  2009: In a market that is continuously changing, it is important to take on new developments or even to be a step ahead of them. Therefore, FloraHolland Connect has once more reviewed the composition of its packet of services. Suppliers to the intermediary organization FloraHolland are currently making a decision for the next calendar year. FloraHolland has informed its suppliers of the various options this week.
Last year, the FloraHolland Connect suppliers came into contact with the 'Do-it-yourself', 'Do-it-together' and 'Let-us-do-it' service packages for the first time. The subdivision of services in these packages remains more or less the same. However, the rate for the 'Do-it-yourself' package will be reduced next year. Furthermore, the services offered within the 'Do-it-together' package have been expanded while the rate remains the same. This will offer suppliers more for their money in 2010.
FloraHolland Connect supports its suppliers with customized services, especially now that the challenges in the current market are becoming increasingly complex and large. The market is becoming more international, the demands set of products are stricter and the consumer is more and more interested in the origins and the production methods of flowers and plants. FloraHolland can, together with the suppliers, act on these developments.
Suppliers who sell their products via FloraHolland Connect have until 15 January 2010 to choose from among the packages. Some may prefer to market their products together with FloraHolland Connect while other suppliers opt to take care of sales and order handling themselves. FloraHolland Connect can also take the entire sales process out of the supplier’s hands. A Personal Salesperson then sets out to create and take advantage of market opportunities on behalf of the supplier.
Apart from the various packages, suppliers can also supplement their need for market support with individual, additional services. Examples of this include extra market information, additional product promotion, risk management and quality monitoring. The result is that a supplier can respond better to changes in the market. This raises the level of professionalism and reduces sales costs.
Developments are also apace at FloraHolland with regard to digital trading. The PlantConnect.nl and FloraHolland e-Trade webshops have both developed into practical, user-friendly sales tools. Growers and buyers are also developing their own webshops. FloraHolland intends to standardize the systems. Digital trading is more efficient if the supply has only to be input at a single point, and buyers can obtain all their information from a single source. There is a growing number of buyers who are filling the assortments in their own webshop with the directly available supply from the PlantConnect.nl and FloraHolland e-Trade webshops. Standardization leads to greater convenience and efficiency in the ornamental plants and flowers chain, and a reduction in chain costs.