AFS brags that technology is its strongest suit, but the company needs to realize that its true differentiator is educational services.
Local retailers have access to online classes including how-to's on design and technology.
It's these types of services that will make florists loyal transacting members. But AFS has a tough row to hoe. This new business plan cuts out retailers while increasing margins and offering consumers lower prices. The introduction of a new marketspace and a decreased consumer demand for wire service flowers threatens the existence of both retailers and wire services as growers take more of the market. A new marketplace brings new challenges.