It's that time of the year, when there is a kind of economic downturn in roses. Everyone notices this, and that includes Van Duyvenvoorde Flower & Plants. Bart Duyvenvoorde, the 'rose man' in the company, sees that the average price has been lower than usual in November. How can you define yourself positively and keep customers close even at a time like this?
Dynamic
When the trade isn't going your way, this means that some people will be losing out. But who? Bart believes the art is to keep close contact, meet each other in the middle as much as you can and perhaps the most important, not begrudging each other. "I'm not trying to pull the last dime from the grower's pocket and he isn't trying to do this to me. If a grower needs me to get rid of some stuff, I will help him as much as I can, because next time I might need him when there's a shortage."
Not begrudging advantages
You're in the same space, you need each other, and this is why good relationships are crucial. But realistically, how does this 'helping' back and forth work? "Think of starting a promotion. We make a bit of extra noise for a customer or a product with a good offer. And then it works like the bonus at Albert Heijn: the consumer takes all kinds of other products and both you and the grower make more. But it is very important to give your customer the advantage. An offer has to 'roll on' both to the grower and the final store."
This means the relationship between buyer and seller is much more personal than you might think and Bart and his colleagues aren't just purchasers, but also 'account managers'. A lot of phone calls and trips. "You can't make friends without that contact and it makes doing business difficult."
With trade in flowers and plants in almost all countries, Van Duyvenvoorde is one of the big players in trade. The products are bought everywhere and through all kinds of channels. Auction still plays a large role, around 40% of the stems are bought there. Around 200,000 to 250,000 stems are bought each day.
For more information:
Van Duyvenvoorde Flower & Plants
Bart Duyvenvoorde
Bloemenveiling Flora Holland
Venus 181
2675 LN Honselersdijk
T: +31 (0)88-018 34 00
E: contact@duyvenvoorde.nl
www.duyvenvoorde.nl
With trade in flowers and plants in almost all countries, Van Duyvenvoorde is one of the big players in trade. The products are bought everywhere and through all kinds of channels. Auction still plays a large role, around 40% of the stems are bought there. Around 200,000 to 250,000 stems are bought each day.
For more information:
Van Duyvenvoorde Flower & Plants
Bart Duyvenvoorde
Bloemenveiling Flora Holland
Venus 181
2675 LN Honselersdijk
T: +31 (0)88-018 34 00
E: contact@duyvenvoorde.nl
www.duyvenvoorde.nl