Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc (“Morrisons”) today announces the acquisition of Flower World, one of the UK’s leading wholesale flower businesses. The acquisition is the latest step in Morrisons’ vertical integration strategy and will enable Morrisons to continue to improve the quality and freshness of our flowers.
Established in 1987, Flower World is one of the leading independent flower importers and distributors in the UK. It provides fresh cut flowers, plants, bulbs, seeds, wreaths and bouquets to florists and retailers. Flower World benefits from a strong management team all of whom have a great knowledge and passion for flowers, plants and marketing, product development and design.
Morrisons already has a strong working relationship with the management of Flower World, which supplies one third of our current products included the company’s Fresh Lab store in Leeds.
In the year to August 2010, Flower World generated sales of £33.7m.
Dalton Philips, Chief Executive of Morrisons, said:
“Morrisons wants to be known as the supermarket that excels at retailing flowers. We believe that we can do this by owning our own flower business, being closer to growers and therefore better able to control quality and value.”
Peter Woodhouse, Managing Director, of Flower World, said:
“The integration provides a very exciting future for Flower World. Morrisons strong commitment to the category coupled with our product knowledge and innovation means Morrisons customers can look forward to an even better offering in store.”
Jane Speakman, Managing Director for Horticulture at Morrisons, said:
“Flower World has strong relationships with growers and farmers and a real expertise in these products. We know that this business can help build the best flower shop proposition and we look forward to welcoming the management and staff into the Morrisons family.”
Published 09/06/2011