Supply chain issues, inflation could make for a less rosy Valentine's Day

BOSTON — With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, many flower shops started preparing months in advance for one of the busiest days of the year.

Like grocery stores and other retailers, florists are also being plagued by supply chain issues and inflation. This forces many flower shops to adjust their inventory and raise their prices.

“Due to COVID-19, we’re currently experiencing a limited selection of flowers,” Back Bay Florist posted on its website. “We’ll do our best to create what you’re looking for, but there may be substitutions to your arrangement.”

They’re not the only ones facing shipping delays.

“For our freshest, most beautiful blooms, please shop our Florist’s Choice options, as we may be experiencing delays in receiving shipments of certain flower types,” Davis & Sawin Florist in West Roxbury wrote on its website.

In addition to supply chain issues, inflation forces many flower shops to raise their prices. Many florists are selling a dozen roses for $115 to $200 – an increase from past years, one florist told the Boston Herald.

“I’m always reluctant to go up on pricing. My costs have gone up a lot,” Lee Hagopian, who operates the Crimson Petal in Newton, told the Boston Herald. “Never before have we sold a dozen roses in a vase for over $100.”

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