‘The environment is everything to me’
Is autumn important for you?
“Absolutely. People make changes to their garden to give it an autumnal feel, so we’re selling a lot of erica, calluna and potted chrysanthemums. With regards to flowers, it’s mainly hortensia, chrysanthemum and aster that are popular now.”
Who are your customers?
“We deliver fresh flowers to the city council, the university, banks and churches almost every day. We also work together with the largest funeral home in the city. And we have an established customer base of private individuals of course.”
You’ve received quite a few awards!
“Yes, we’ve won many prizes the past couple of years, both related to the business and related to the artistic side of things. We’ve been awarded fastest growing company, company of the year and most notable innovator. We’re pleased about it and it helps attract customers, too.”
How do you express your environmental awareness?
“The environment comes first for me. We sell lots of locally grown plants and flowers, in order to reduce the negative impact of transport on the environment. Furthermore, we actively work together with Fair Flowers Fair Plants on a sustainable supply. We only use electric vehicles for our deliveries.”
How much is from the Netherlands?
“About 70% of the cut flowers come from the Netherlands, but hardly any of the plants. I buy locally produced tulips and amaryllis. A flying Dutchman comes by once a week. I’m really happy with the quality, but the prices are high, especially in winter. I hope the Dutch trade will stop importing flowers from countries that don’t adhere to the FFFP-standard.”
Viviane Obaid
Company: Blomsterhallen
Location: two stores in Uppsala
Assortment: 50% flowers, 40% plants, 10% other
Speciality: Sweden’s largest flower cooler
Number of employees: 12
