NEW DAWN AT SUNFLORA
In a move that is designed to offer an even better service to their customer’s leading importers Sunflora and Orion Flowers have decided to join together as one to create a new Sunflora. The new look Sunflora launches
on June 1st when a new chapter in the strong history of the two companies begins and which will allow them to contribute in greater ways to meet the needs of today’s dynamic flower industry. June 1 also sees the start of Sunflora being able to offer the full basket of flowers to its network of volume buyers including the very best Colombian flowers. Commenting on the decision
Inbal Smali-Maurel, who will be joined by James and Simon Russell as fellow directors, told us; “The knowledge and experience we have gained over many years will enable us to offer a wider range of products and new ideas from our existing supplier base around the world. As the new Sunflora grows and develops, we aim to improve our service further and are looking forward to a bright future for all of us.”
Flowers4 suspends
trading Following calls from florists regarding non-payment by Flowers4 we contacted the company and spoke to the MD Karl Anthony (nee Holmes) who sent us the following statement. “Over the past 12 months it
has become increasingly difficult to collect balances from florist
82 F&wb Summer 2013
members and execute orders for the amounts given. As a result this has had a knock on effect on Flowers4 UK Ltd not being able to pay florists that requested funds from their prepay accounts. Flowers4 UK Ltd relay services can no longer afford to sustain trade with flower shops that are increasingly unable to settle their accounts. We are all facing a difficult economic climate and our industry is not immune to these challenges. Flowers4 UK Ltd relay services
have been left with no option but to cease trading with immediate effect. Assets will be collected and divided out to the creditors, although we do not expect to be able to collect much of any outstanding debt due to the current climate. Any member with a debit or credit balance in their prepay account should write to: Accounts Department, Flowers4 UK Ltd, 31-33 Oxford Road, Worthing, BN11 1UT. All claims for payments must be received no later than the 30th September 2013. The Flowers 4 Ltd retail site
and shop has been trading as a separate entity for a number of years and will continue to trade unaffected and fulfil orders for their customers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our supporting florists over the years and wish them all the very best for the future.” We asked Karl if the site was
still operating and how orders would be transferred. He advises that the site will continue to support the retail side of the business (trading as Flowers 4 Limited) but that any orders out of their area will be sent to a shop in the area of delivery as a service to their customers and paid for by the shop card. With regard to administrators
he advises that whilst the company has ceased trading with immediate effect he needs to work out the exact route to close Flowers4 UK Limited with his
accountants as well as needing time to try and get florists to pay the money they owe the company. In the meantime he tells us “the flower shop will not be taking on any relay order gathering service, now or in the future, it will only remain a local flower shop. Two members of staff have been transferred to the shop to take phone calls and help support the florists with the transition period.”
Eds note: Since this story broke we understand Mr Anthony has launched a new offering to the market called Florist Exchange.
End of Legal Battle for
Interflora On Tuesday 21 May 2013, the High Court of England and Wales handed down its judgment in the long running case of Interflora, Inc. and Interflora British Unit versus Marks and Spencer plc. Mr Justice Arnold rules in favour of Interflora, Inc. and Interflora British Unite, finding that Marks and Spencer’s use of the “Interflora” trade mark as a Google AdWord to advertise its M&S Flowers & Gifts website was trade mark infringement. Mr Justice Arnold said: “the M&S advertisements which are the subject of Interflora’s claim did not enable reasonably well- informed and reasonably attentive internet users to ascertain whether the service referred to in the advertisements originated from [M&S or Interflora] ... On the contrary, as at 6 May 2008, a significant proportion of the consumers who searched for “interflora” and the other Signs, and then clicked on M&S’s advertisements displayed in
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87