FTDFLOWERS (ww.ftd.com)

Florists Transworld Delivery or FTD is a company based in Downers Grove, Illinois, in the United States.

It operates two main businesses: The Consumer Business sells flowers and gift items through its websites and The Floral Business sells computer services, software and even fresh cut flowers to FTD affiliated florists.

FTDFLOWERS was founded as a retailers' cooperative to help customers send flowers remotely on the same day by using florists in the FTD network who are near the intended recipient.

The Mercury Network, the electronic network used by FTD, processes about fifteen million orders annually, through about 50,000 FTD affiliates in 154 countries, of which about 20,000 are in the United States and Canada. The Mercury Network was developed by John D. Goeken, a telecommunications entrepreneur who co-founded MCI Communications.

Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD), sued its competitor ProFlowers for false advertising in August 2005. The suit focused on ProFlowers's claim to ship "direct from the fields" with "no middlemen". Stating that the lawsuit was "without merit", ProFlowers brought counterclaims against FTD. The lawsuit was settled a year later out of court.

Knowledge in complicated arrangements of flowers along with know-how on forming bouquets and wreaths is very important for a florist. Besides stocking the different flowers available in the season locally, florists also import blossoms from various cities and towns of the globe. The most common varieties stocked by florist include lilies, irises, tulips and roses.

Source: Wikipedia