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Popular flowers such as roses and carnations, often imported from Kenya and Israel, have been particularly affected. The firm has raised bouquet prices by about 5 per cent to offset part of the increase.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShipments are not coming in as frequently as they used to. As such, we are looking into alternatives to keep the quality of our flowers stable,\u201d Ms Lai said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To help patrons cope with higher prices, the florist offers the option of switching to more affordable blooms or opting for preserved or artificial arrangements. About half of its customers have taken up these substitutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut even with alternatives, everyone is marking up their base prices, which are then (passed on) to us,\u201d Ms Lai said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us, if it’s a reasonable percentage range, we will absorb it ourselves (and) try not to pass on too much to customers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She added that demand for fresh bouquets during Mother\u2019s Day, which falls on Sunday (May 10), has been declining over time, as more consumers opt for longer-lasting gifts such as jewellery or experiences like dining out.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n