Whilst my daughters may ogle Sweet 16 (a dreadful programme about the obscene lengths some parents go to celebrate their child’s 16^th birthday) they know darn well they aren’t going to get the same.  But that doesn’t mean they’ll miss out completely and I know there will be parties to celebrate not only their ‘special birthdays’ but a plethora of school bashes that will require party frocks, chauffeuring (me in the Beetle – NOT a stretch!) and of course flowers and bling.

Because where the USA goes, UK invariably follows and why, even if some schools are knocking the idea on the head because of lax behaviour, I reckon the Prom and Party market is here to stay.

Not just fun for the teenagers but a big time opportunity for florists as well who can not only capture sales but educate the youth market into thinking about flowers as well. Hugely important because, as Nike et al have proved, capture them young and they stay with you.

And with an aging client base we desperately need to make sure flowers and plants are as much in the youngsters psyche as it is their parents and grandparents They need to feel as comfortable about walking into a flower shop as they do Top Shop or Prada and understand that they don’t need the wallet of a footballer to afford something from you … although given how much jeans and trainers cost these days maybe finance isn’t the issue … it’s more the perception of flowers!

But it isn’t just Proms where you can create add-on sales with funky wristlets and designer corsages.  Weddings, Anniversary Parties, Race Days …. the list is endless where a bit of floral bling can sit comfortably … but only if you show and promote it.

Corsage Creations (www.corsagecreations.com.uk) who specialise in all the accessories you need to enter the market, have got a very useful marketing kit on how to make the opportunities happen plus there’s a chance to win a £100 worth of product.  Given it will all start kicking off next month now’s the time to have a read and have a try and see how you can capture a share of the market and introduce a new base of customers into your shop before someone else does!