The demand for flowers on Valentine’s Day is higher than at any other time of the year. Flowers are gathered from far and wide, from farms in countries such as Kenya, India, Thailand, Ecuador, and Colombia. This means it can take up to two weeks for them to reach retailers. The flowers are then arranged and systematically delivered to homes and offices. Individual addresses just add to the complexity of this huge logistical puzzle – after all, receiving your flowers on February 15th isn’t quite the same!

But time and distance are just two of the challenges. What else is there?

For one thing, the blooms have to be kept fresh throughout their long journey. This means maintaining them at the right temperature at all times, even during transit. For another, shipping needs to be efficient and planned ahead of time – delays can be catastrophic to profit margins.

For a full picture, take a look at this infographic from third-party logistics provider, CH Robinson, which traces the amazing journey of fresh flowers on Valentine’s Day.

Precision, speed, and reliability – capabilities you need to make sure fresh flowers arrive in time for one of the busiest days in the floral industry. What other capabilities does your logistics business have when it comes to handling perishable products, such as fresh flowers? Share with us by leaving a comment below.

Source: http://blog.chrobinson.com/retail-2/journey-valentines-rose/