A Start-Up Guide to Artificial Plants and Flowers Retail Businesses in the UK

Faux plants and flowers are commonly used for home and garden decoration purposes. Starting an artificial plants and flowers business comes with its fair share of challenges, requiring a great deal of effort, dedication and passion. Follow the critical steps to quickly gain a foothold in the UK retail market if you are making up your mind to build your own business.

Is It Right for You to Start An Artificial Plants and Flowers Business? (SWOT Analysis)

 

This statistic shows the total annual revenue of the retail sales of natural or artificial plants and flowers in the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2019.

The Annual Business Survey uses a sample of data from 62,000 businesses in the Non-Financial Economy in Great Britain and 11,000 in Northern Ireland to draw estimate totals for the whole business population.

 

Strengths (S):

Simple business model

The start-up and foundation of an artificial plant business can be more seamless because the business runs in a simple business model.

Results and revenue happen quickly

Unlike other businesses, it can start to see results and revenue at a relatively rapid speed. You’ll obtain an instant return on investment provided you take adequate measures to validate your idea.

High customer retention

Terminal consumers investing in your products are entangled with your products/ services, which are worth the investment.

Amazing benefits and discounts

Working with artificial plants and flowers comes with benefits. Specializing in the sale of faux plants, you are sure to enjoy industry perks and discounts.

 

Web searches largely reflect customer needs. Google Trends results show that in the past 18 years (2004-present), targeted users’ interest in different artificial plant categories has been rising in stages. Especially in May 2020, their demand for artificial grass reached a peak.

Advantages of artificial plants and flowers

*Easy-to-maintain artificial plants. Artificial plants and flowers are widely used as commercial interior decoration with little maintenance.

*Weather-resistant artificial outdoor plants. Replica of rare and beautiful plants that are difficult to maintain under the UK’s changeable and rainy weather conditions is also an essential driver of sales.

*Non-allergic artificial indoor plants. In many parts of the world, people are vulnerable to various allergies from exotic plants, so artificial plants can also be a great alternative.

 

Weaknesses (W):

Niche market

A niche business is not necessarily a bad thing. However, finding the perfect niche market and target audience may be more challenging and time-consuming.

Low margins

The gross profit margin of your artificial plant business is usually about 10%, which will make it more challenging to generate new expenses and maintain profitability.

Taxes

As a faux plant business, you usually have to pay a high self-employment tax.

No environmental protection features

Artificial plants and trees have no advantages of purifying air and releasing oxygen, just like natural plants.

 

Opportunities (O):

Easy to encourage “impulse buying”

In the artificial plant business, you are more likely to encourage customers to buy impulsively – you can easily change the price, location, packaging and promotional value to influence buyers’ decisions.

Unlimited revenue potential

There is no upper limit to accumulating profits. The stronger your business skills, the more energy/time you put into your career, and the more money you make.

Wide availability

Companies focus on providing indoor and outdoor decorative products such as artificial turfs, plants, trees, and others with faux flowers to provide an all-in-one solution to domestic consumers.

Higher opportunity of getting referrals

The retail business is all about referrals, which can be an effective way to attract and retain customers. You have a great referral program that motivates your customers to tell their friends about your product.

 

Threats (T):

Huge competition

The Association of Convenience Stores data shows that as of 2019, there are 46388 retail stores in the mainland UK. You may feel threatened by huge competition from the local industry players.

Governmental regulations

The United Kingdom has implemented a “plastic ban” in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland since 2011. Any store selling faux plants will be influenced by governmental regulations regarding the usage of plastic-based products.

Covid-19 epidemic

Under the current covid-19 pandemic, consumers’ spending on non-necessities has decreased due to the decline of people’s purchasing power and the economic crisis.

Customer churn

Customers can cancel their membership or subscribe to your service in this business, which makes revenue forecasting challenging and unpredictable.

 

Key Faux Plants and Flowers Retailers in the UK

Some internationally renowned horticulture, gardening, synthetic lawn, home furnishing, supermarkets, and design/decoration companies occupy most artificial plants and flowers markets in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In addition, with so many emerging plant-based retail stores popping up in the market, competition among them is self-evident. Here’s a list of top artificial plants suppliers based in the United Kingdom.

 

Artificial green wall supplier – Vistafolia®

Vistafolia® is recognized as UK’s No.1 Artificial Green Wall brand and supplier, which heads to work to help people achieve more through reimagined and realized green wall spaces at home, work or in their community.

 

Artificial hedge supplier – Hedged In Ltd

When it comes to artificial hedging specialists in the UK, Hedgedin is on the list. They import and offer bespoke hedge-building products such as faux hedge panels, hedge planters, hedge lettering, and topiary balls. With up-to-date development, Hedged In also provide UV stabilized or fireproofed green wall features and flower trees.

 

Artificial floral supplier – Silk Flower House

“Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” Silk Flower House is an award-winning floral design store that creates bespoke arrangements, long-lasting flowers and colorful realistic blooms.

 

The Artificial Plants Shop

With more than a decade of growth, the Artificial Plants Shop has become famous for products made with authenticity and quality at the forefront of production plans. Originates from supplying faux leaves and fake potted plants, it also develops into a one-stop shop including design, delivery and installation.

 

Artificial turf stockist – Artificial Grass Direct

Artificial grass is hotter and more in demand than other artificial plant categories. Relatively speaking, the competition is also higher because customers don’t pay for low-quality products.

Artificial Grass Direct is the leading online artificial grass supermarket in the UK. By selling directly through the Internet, they have avoided almost all the costs incurred by traditional retailers. This is a significant advantage of people buying from them.

 

Home leisure garden – The Range

To speak of in addition to some retailers specializing in selling artificial plants, you also need to pay attention to multichannel retailers, such as The Range. You must be familiar with this superstore that opens over 180 stores in the United Kingdom & Ireland. If you want to detach from the artificial plants industry and turn upward, you can regard The Range as a goal, although its achievements are difficult to surpass.

 

Trendy Artificial Plants and Flowers in the UK

Caught in the corona crisis, many people now work from home and pay more attention to the design of life and outdoor space. The main priority is how the plants look – you don’t want a shiny, plastic look to your foliage. Similarly, you want to offer a broad range of different species (albeit faux) and sizes to help people decide which hassle-free artificial potted plants to bring to life.

 

T1. Eucalyptus tree

Although it seems far-fetched to say that plants are “inside,” we want to tell you here that eucalyptus appears to be everywhere. It has a high height (120cm), which means it can be placed well next to the sofa or in the lobby, but it looks particularly convincing – there are no leaves that look like plastic. The added benefit is that it’s in a black pot with artificial soil.

 

T2. Artificial strelitzia

It is the most convincing artificial plant in this review, mainly due to the leaves’ different green tones and textures. All its leaves are facing up, so you can rearrange the stems into the design you want. The height is very suitable for occupying space. It’s certainly worth investing because of its realistic and straightforward design.

Also read: Most Popular Artificial Potted Plants So Far in 2022

 

T3. Beautifully crafted artificial orchid

Artificial orchids are carefully designed to be natural-looking. You can hardly define that it is a pot of artificial flowers from a distance. Real-touch white orchid is carefully positioned to create a beautiful display and add vitality to the dull atmosphere. The flowers are made of high-quality silk cloth, full in shape, bright in color, and the flower veins are clearly visible.

 

T4. Artificial bonsai tree

As we all know, bonsai trees are difficult to care for – they need perfect light, temperature and humidity. Therefore, manual design is the ideal choice whether you have been trying to maintain prosperity or not. The roots look a little fake, but not obvious. As for the leaves, these are not too shiny. Additionally, a concrete pot is a bonus.

 

T5. Artificial boxwood hedging

In recent years, the demand for multifunctional exterior design such as outdoor privacy protection has increased. Artificial hedges are a great alternative to ugly walls and boring fences. Whether to hide a wheeled trash can or just want to get a little extra privacy, faux hedging is robust, naturalistic and will not be affected by box blight and similar plant problems.

Also read: Artificial Hedges – Your FAQs and Our Answers

People are increasingly looking forward to artificial boxwood hedges’ functionality more than decoration. For example, whether it can prevent corrosion, moth, flame, ultraviolet radiation, etc. These demands push artificial plant manufacturers to develop and enrich products with these characteristics constantly.

 

T6. Faux plant wall

Horizontal or vertical plant walls have become a big hit, and we see an increasing number of them installed. They create an excellent way of expression, and they don’t need ground space. The faux plant wall is a good choice. It breaks the idea that plants should stand on the floor.

Read more: Import Trend Green Wall Panels in UK Markets

According to Research Report on Hot-selling Artificial Hedge Walls & Vertical Garden in the UK, the top-selling artificial green wall in the UK is quite simple like artificial fern hedges, fake ivy fences, artificial boxwood hedge panels, etc.

 

T7. Artificial flower arrangements

Although artificial flowers may immediately remind people of the image of plastic, the seemingly cheap flower stems snuggle up on Grandma’s bathroom windowsill, but this is no longer the case. Forget what you think you know because the artificial flower industry is really blooming.

Artificial floral arrangements usually come with DIY creation. Rather than purchase floral bouquets in large quantities, you can wholesale lots of flowers, stems and accessories and then make your own floral design or arrangements.

Also read: All You Need to Know About Artificial Flowers

 

How to Start Your Artificial Plants and Flowers Business?

A good beginning is half the battle. To become an authentic artificial plants and flowers retailer in the UK, please take the time to explain this idea through a business plan. Understanding all aspects of the business philosophy will be the key to making the artificial plant retail business work like a well-oiled machine.

 

Step1. Define your business information

What is your business? What are the products/services you provide? Who are your customers? What are your goals…etc?

 

Step2. Name your business

It’s crucial to find an attractive name for your artificial plant business so that you can stand out in your space.

 

Step3. Create a slogan

Your slogan aims to help your customers understand the benefits of your products/services, which should be short, simple and consistent.

 

Step4. Decide your business model

When deciding whether to start an artificial plant business, it is essential to determine what type of business model you want (physical store, e-commerce, or both).

 

Step5. Raise money

Consider if there’s a need to fund your artificial plants business.

 

Step6. Obtain skills

Apart from getting knowledge of artificial plants, hedges, flowers or grass, you should also identify these skills – self-motivation, crafty, customer service, business savvy, etc.

 

Step7. Prepare certifications

From the start to the end, VAT is one of the most significant certificates for import & export.

 

Step8. Locate a reliable supplier

Most artificial plants suppliers and manufacturers are based in Asia, especially in China and Vietnam. Collect information about your preferred supplier as much as possible.

 

Step9. Price your products

It’s one of the headaches to determine the selling price. But keep in mind these tips.

• Understand your customer
• Consider your costs
• Create revenue goals
• Evaluate your competition

Read more: How to Start Artificial Plants Business

 

Let Sunwing Help You with A Successful Start

Some of the retailers mentioned above are long-term customers of Sunwing Industries Ltd. Without any exaggeration, even some have become local artificial plant leaders in the UK with our best-selling products.

Suppose you want to get into the artificial turf industry; what support can we provide for you?

 

• R&D varieties

Sunwing originated from an artificial lawn company in 2003. Over the past few years, Sunwing have developed a brand new artificial grass series – 3D embossed pattern grass mats. We are confident that this product will help you occupy the market because it’s time to add new blood to the UK’s fake grass market.

 

• Custom packaging

Online or offline, packaging is a symbol of your products and service. Quality extends from the product itself to the packaging. We assist many brands with their packing designs, so let your business stands out with a catchy package.

 

• Catalog e-book

When selling online, it’s better to display a complete artificial plants catalog for your customers. This can help them instantly know about your product list in the store. Rest assured that we will save you this step.

 

• Delivery

Delivery time is inevitable when purchasing artificial plants and flowers in bulk. Even though you choose to import from Sunwing from China, we can promise a short lead time and intact container goods.

Get in touch with us for more start-up help!