The recent changes to the Trade Act impact florists' business, especially those working at cemeteries, shrines, and souvenir shops, which rely on business during high-traffic days such as Sundays and holidays, the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (HOK) has told Hina.
HOK welcomes the government's decision to declare All Saints' Day as a fair day nationwide this year again.
“This decision places all Croatian florists on equal ground, where they are not dependent on local government and can plan their operations,” said HOK's Edita Merćep
HOK recalls that it asked the Economy Ministry several times for amendments to the law that would allow tradespeople to independently set their working hours, especially by introducing additional exemptions for businesses operating on Sundays and holidays at cemeteries and shrines.
Regarding the pricing of floral arrangements for All Saints' Day, HOK notes that florists operate in a free market and independently decide if and when to adjust their product or service prices in response to demand.
The purchase prices of flowers and raw materials, transport and labour costs have all risen significantly, and the sector is also impacted by increasingly frequent weather disturbances, all of which are reflected in the final price of floral arrangements, HOK says.
HOK also believes that wholesale purchasing should be reserved exclusively for registered florists to protect their profitability and sustainability.
According to the Economy Ministry, as of September this year, there were 806 registered businesses engaged in retail trade of flowers, plants, seeds, fertilisers, pet supplies, and pet food in specialised stores. For 240 of these, this is their primary business activity. Compared to September last year, the number of businesses in the floral trade sector increased by 12.
There were also 871 registered businesses involved in growing annual crops, which includes flower cultivation, with 45 listing it as their primary activity. This number decreased by one compared to September 2023.
The number of businesses providing floral arrangement services stood at 86, marking a decrease of two businesses from September last year, while there were 188 businesses registered in candle production and/or sales, a decline of nine from September 2023.