I'd like some feedback on floral operations in other divisions. I'm in Atlanta division, and things seem out of control in the floral department. Merchandising blames it on g.o. in Cincinnati. I have NEVER seen things so out of control as far as distributions, lack of communication (or rather false communication), poor quality, you name it. I run my department correctly, but I cannot do a good job because I cannot overcome the system. What is happening in other areas?
I got in 2 pallets of outdoor product last night. I came in this morning to a complete rack of knock-out roses that were completely DRY and withered beyond repair. The COST is over $1000. The stuff is sitting in the warehouse too long. I was told that I would get credit on the 2 pallets last week that went straight to the dump, but I was also told that prompt handling is crucial to floral quality. HELLO... we process it the very next shift after it comes in. I was also told that since the weather is hotter now than it was Easter, they are having more issues. Well, Mother's day has been in May for each of the 31 years that I have been working for this company, and I have NEVER gotten in this much bad product- whole pallets of ruined goods. I have let everyone know that I can think of that things are out of control- problem is that I don't know who is out of control, and I can't do a darn thing about it. I always communicate by email, so that there is at least a written record that I am trying. I know the money is not mine, but I have to deal with the problem.
i dont get it. cant you refuse the order or does the truck driver have to unload his stuff b/c he needs to move on?
get a camera and take photos!
We can't refuse the product because it isn't dsd- it comes from the Kroger warehouse and we own it already. Also, the big pallet drops that are coming in bad come on grocery trucks (the problem) and roll in at whatever time, so there in no floral clerk here to inspect anyway. I was told that I could get credit, but it is still awful. It hurts our business to have a bunch of mark-downs all the time, and we aren't supposed to do it pre-holiday anyway. Our business suffers because we have a Mother's day budget to meet, and less decent product to sell. Floral these days is nothing but confusion, and we are not to blame. I got 20 cases of arrangements for Administrative asst. week, having only ordered 4. That's 20x 6-8 arrangements per case. This happened all over my district. Arrangements last about a week to 10 days at best. We reduced a ton, and had to throw away many. And I am one of the top 20 selling stores in the Atlanta division. I really feel for the stores who struggle with sales , and are still getting these distros.
Now if it makes you all feel better- I CARE! But I can tell you who doesn't care... the ramrods at ur local warehouse who are told to make sure the floral pallets get put on the grocery trailer no matter what it takes. Also ur Kroger Floral distribution centers who don't have the room or the manpower to handle the volumes that a major floral holiday brings.
That old method of taking pics, documenting damage, calling office is all u can do to recoup ur losses but it's going to keep on happening. It's a crying shame to see all the flowers killed by improper storage or improper handling/loading. If it was possible to track a grand total dollar amount of damage/loss per division for Mother's Day and then summed up for the entire company then presented to division presidents by the top mgmt at one of their almighty meetings- then and only then would it become an issue to be investigated from start to finish instead of just ignored like it has been for decades. Document /Call early and often!!!!
