City Florists Reap From Valentine Day

Businesses dealing in flowers, cards and red and black outfits reaped high sales yesterday from people celebrating Valentine's Day, reports Lillian Nalumansi. Florists visited by The New Vision were by late afternoon overwhelmed by the number of customers coming in to buy or place orders. By about 2:15pm, Harriet Ssali, the owner of Bamuhalu Florists in Wandegeya, had run out of red roses, the lovers' preferred flowers. "We have run out of red roses, but we have convinced our customers to settle for flowers with other colours. They are now buying other colours like cream or white," Ssali said. At Rusadia Florists on Sure House, Bombo Road, red roses were available in big numbers but the number of customers was equally high. "Business is very good today. We are mostly getting young people although there are also executive members coming to make orders," Samuel Kiduggavu said. Rusadia was selling a single wrapped red rose at sh1,000 while small-sized bouquets cost sh20,000 and bigger ones sh25,000. They had a range of flowers like chrysanthemums and carnations mixed with the red roses to make a beautiful array. They also sold flowers in a basket at a sh35,000. Andrew Wandera, a public relations consultant who made deliveries, said, "I am doing this not as business but as a value added service to my corporate clients who are too busy to came and purchase flowers for their lovers. At Nimu Florists at the Sheraton Hotel, the director said, "This is more than we expected. We have been getting clients who have been buying sh5,000 roses and sh50,000 bouquets. Vendors earned more money from the cards than the plastic roses. Ends