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Florist

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Retail and customer services
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Career outlook for florist

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£13,000

Experienced

£24,000

Currently employed in Scotland

Information is unavailable

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would sell flowers and plants in shops for people to use to decorate their homes or give as gifts.

You’d create beautiful bouquets and flower arrangements for people to enjoy at home or at special events like weddings and conferences.

You’d combine your artistic flair with your knowledge of plants and flowers to design and assemble flower arrangements, bouquets and wreaths.

You would:

  • Chat with customers to find out what they need
  • Help people choose suitable flowers and plants
  • Make suggestions for floral arrangements and explain your ideas to customers
  • Make up bouquets and arrangements based on your ideas, design books and your customers' requirements
  • Prepare flowers for formal displays, for example at weddings, conferences or exhibitions
  • Set up displays
  • Deliver orders to customers
  • Advise customers on how to look after the flowers or plants they buy

You may also sell gifts, greetings cards and decorations. If you run your own business, you would keep accounts and carry out other administration tasks.

Working conditions

Hours

You would work shop hours, including Saturdays and possibly Sundays. You may need to start work very early in the mornings to buy stock, and work extra hours to make sure that orders are completed on time - especially at busy times such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

Travel

You may need to travel to wholesalers, nurseries or to make deliveries to customers.

UK employment status

Full-time

26%

Part-time

53%

Self employed

20%

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  • Positive attitude
  • Verbal communication
  • Creative
  • Designing
  • Innovative
  • Working with numbers
  • Empathising
  • Respecting
  • Attention to detail
  • Time management

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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

There are no formal qualifications for this role. An interest in floristry or retail and skills in English and maths would be useful.

Once in a job, you may be able to work towards qualifications such as a City & Guilds Floristry Diploma (SCQF Level 5).

Useful subjects

  • English
  • Maths
  • Art, design and craft-based subjects

Helpful to have

Qualifications and experience that show retail and customer service skills, such as Skills for Work Retailing (SCQF level 5) or previous work experience in a florist shop.

A driving licence