Actual flowers used in the longevity study.

AFE just released a comprehensive public benefits study on Longevity Guarantees for Flowers. This multi-part study examines several aspects of consumer preferences for longevity guarantees on flowers including: consumer willingness to pay for longevity guarantees, consumer preferences for longevity labels on cut flowers and consumer preferences for redeeming longevity guarantees.
The study was conducted by Chengyan Yue, Ph.D., at the University of Minnesota, with support from Alicia Rihn, University of Minnesota, Bridget Behe, Ph.D., Michigan State University, and Charles Hall, Ph.D., Texas A&M University.
“People are very positive about longevity guarantees,” Yue said. “I think we can develop a longevity guarantee labeling system so that people would be reassured of their purchases and go outside of their typical safety zones. Longevity guarantees are especially important for gifts, expensive flowers, and flowers they are not familiar with.”
Guarantees are used in many different industries to entice consumers to purchase products, but they are rarely used in the floriculture industry. This study seeks to examine the consumer impact of longevity guarantees on flowers.
One of the key findings in the study was that 76 percent of participants indicated that a longevity guarantee on flowers would impact their purchasing decisions. Specifically, participants were willing to pay 3 percent more for a guaranteed flower arrangement than a flower arrangement with equal longevity but no guarantee.
The study findings can serve as important marketing lessons for floriculture industry stakeholders.
Former AFE Chairman Harrison, “Red” Kennicott, CEO of Kennicott Brothers Co., Inc., said, “In addition to the useful information in these reports, industry members should always share with consumers how simple care and handling actions such as the use of preservatives, adding and changing water, and keeping flowers away from heat and drafts can prolong the life of flowers.”