ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Mother’s Day is one of the busiest holidays for flower shops in the Roanoke Valley, but getting bouquets to customers’ doorsteps is getting more expensive with heightened fuel and freight costs, local florists say.
About 75% of Americans plan to buy flowers for Mother’s Day, according to the National Retail Federation, helping drive an expected $38 billion in holiday spending. But shop owners say higher transportation costs are squeezing their margins and customers’ budgets at the same time.
George’s Flowers, a Roanoke staple that has been in business since 1981, brings in most of its inventory from abroad. Co-owner Doug Lindamood said around 85% of the shop’s products come from Latin America, and moving those flowers through the supply chain now comes with added fuel fees…