As employers deal with increasing health insurance premium costs — 6.1 percent, twice the rate of inflation in 2007 — it's no surprise that fewer employers are offering health insurance to employees — 30,000 fewer in 2005, compared to 2001, according to The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

SAF recently responded to Country Living magazine's Web site, on which a slideshow and related copy urged readers to skip the flower shop and do it themselves.

U.S. and Kenyan officials have come to an agreement that could bring more African flowers into the states, but some industry officials say they don't expect an immediate effect on the market.

If you're planning to do a design demonstration in your town but are terrified of public speaking, Sharon McGukin has a tip for you: Before you take on your first demo, research your audience in advance before you step on stage and meet and greet as many people as possible.

The number of retail florist establishments continued to contract in 2006 according to just-released data from the U.S. Census Bureau's County Business Patterns. The number of retail florist establishments declined 4.3 percent in 2006 to 20,227, down from 21,135 in 2005. As shown in the figure, the survey has documented a decline in the number of florists each year since 1996. From 2006 to 1996, the number of florists fell 24.3 percent. 

Floral industry members and others interested in helping develop the first national standard for sustainable agriculture have less than a week to apply to be on the committee leading the effort.

Sleep-deprived readers of Women's World magazine recently got some flower-friendly advice when  the national consumer magazine featured the positive, emotional impact of flowers in two separate issues.

A former winner of Floral Management magazine's Marketer of the Year award can add a new accolade to her resume: Connecticut Florist of the Year.

The runners at the Olympic track and field finals in Eugene, Ore., aren't the only ones thinking and moving fast on their feet. The team at Dandelions Flowers & Gifts has been in full sprint since they were tapped to provide victory bouquets just three days before the first starter gun fired on Friday, June 27.

As gas prices go up, wallets snap shut and the dollar weakens, many businesses see marketing as extra fat to cut, but one expert says it's not about eliminating programs, it's about making them smarter.

While many Americans will celebrate their life, liberty and pursuit of a relaxing day off of work this Friday, thanks to the Fourth of July, a growing number of employees don't need a holiday to get a four-day workweek. High energy costs, not high-flying fireworks, are why Utah recently joined the ranks of private and public sector employers telling workers to stay home (and off the roads) on Friday.

The economy may be bleak, but according to a new survey conducted by the University of Florida, a thin silver lining has emerged for profit-minded retailers: Loss from shoplifting, employee theft, administrative error and vendor fraud is at a 17-year low.

Small-business owners with limited payroll budgets rejoice: If a new survey is any indication, the vast majority of Americans say "fulfilling" work is more important to them than a big paycheck.

Who doesn't want their business healthy and competitive in today's economy? Learn to get and keep it that way at floral industry financial expert Paul Goodman's session "Thriving in Today's Economy, Part 1: Survival Tool Kit" on Friday morning during SAF Palm Beach 2008.

• "Keys to Communication" by SAF's PFCI featuring Sharon McGukin, AAF, AIFD, PFCI: July 7, 2-3 p.m. in Chicago, in conjunction with the AIFD National Symposium.
• SAF Palm Beach 2008: Sept. 17-20, 2008, at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.

Ongoing interest in deceptive Internet listings put our story on Tennessee's new ban  on top of the E-Brief list last week, followed by up-to-the-minute news from the flooded Midwest.

E-Brief's article on same-sex marriages is still generating feedback. Georgianne Vinicombe, president of Monday Morning Flower & Balloon Co. in Princeton, N.J. and Yardley, Pa., sent E-Brief editors an e-mail about how performing wedding consultations for same-sex couples can be gratifying.

Looking to reach out and capture profitable commercial accounts? SAF's Business-to-Business Kit can help you do just that! This powerful package of step-by-step advice, promotional ideas and creative materials will help you pursue and preserve commercial clients, and in turn, increase your sales. The Kit includes a six-page brochure of step-by-step advice and promotional tactics on establishing and maintaining business clients; sample pitch and follow-up letters to prospective and current clients; a sample telephone pitch script; customizable camera-ready flier promoting the benefits of flowers and plants in the workplace; customizable camera-ready Rolodex card; customizable camera-ready customer satisfaction survey; a sample postcard and a sample Sales Presentation Portfolio. Members pay just $34.95 for this beneficial kit.

Access to a pre-wedding consultation form and the search for the perfect delivery vehicle were just some of the topics buzzing on the discussion boards this week.

Deceptive listings significantly impact the business of slightly less than 59 percent of respondents to last week's e-poll.

What Event Do You Charge Delivery Fees For?

Source: SAF online Fuel/Gasoline survey of SAF member retail florists, May/June 2008. Results based on 603 responses (17 percent response rate).

Like most vendors offering delivery, florists charge delivery fees to most of their customers. However, there are some exceptions. Less than 20 percent (18 percent) of florists don't charge delivery fees to funeral homes; 12 percent spare wedding customers; nine percent omit hospitals and three percent don't charge nursing homes or assisted living facilities.