FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Steve Mullen
(804) 382-0017
Steve@EndGamePR.com
www.EndGamePR.com

LOCAL RETAILER HELPS YOU SHOW MOM WHAT YOU LEARNED
Vogue Flowers Launches "Shipped Direct" For Mother's Day

Richmond, Virginia - Your mother probably tried to teach you to spend your money wisely. A local retailer is giving you a way to show you were listening by sending her beautiful flowers on her special day, but not spending more than necessary!

Vogue Flowers & Gifts, Richmond's top flower shop, officially launches its new Shipped Direct option this week, just in time for Mother's Day.

"Shipped Direct is a simple, straightforward, less expensive way of sending flowers anywhere in the country," said Vogue Flowers President Steve Papoulakos. "When a gift giver places a Shipped Direct order, we prepare the arrangement, package it so it stays moist, put it securely into a special box, and send it to the recipient via UPS overnight shipping."

Traditionally, when a customer of one of the national floral services pays for flowers to be delivered to an out-of-town location, the company will contact a flower shop located near the recipient. The flower shop then will prepare and deliver the arrangement. The national service charges a fee when the order is placed, plus they'll take a cut of the amount charged for the flowers. The florist that actually delivers the gift will receive the remainder of the money. By offering Shipped Direct, Vogue is able to offer delivery less expensively, in part because the "middleman" is eliminated.

The difference in price can be dramatic. One national floral service will charge $71.98 to deliver a dozen roses by traditional means the next day. Vogue Flowers, meanwhile, will charge nearly 50% LESS for next day delivery to the same address, using Shipped Direct.

"In launching this service, we definitely are going head-to-head with the largest floral delivery services in the country," said Papoulakos. "We have the advantage of a great system that allows us to control the quality of the flowers and the delivery process every step of the way, and do it less expensively than our competitors."

Shipped Direct is available for orders placed at any Vogue Flowers & Gifts location, over the phone (353-9600 in Metro Richmond or toll free at 800-923-1010) or via the Internet at www.VogueFlowers.com.

For more information about direct shipping or flowers for Mother's Day, or to set up an interview about either, please contact the number at the top of this release.

About Vogue Flowers & Gifts
Vogue Flowers & Gifts, Ltd., with five locations in Metro Richmond, was named the area's #1 flower shop by Richmond Magazine for each of the past eight years. Founded in 1985, Vogue imports flowers direct from the grower and provides the highest quality service, product and design to all of its customers. The company offers a wide range of cut flowers sold either individually, or arranged into beautiful designs for any occasion. They also carry a large selection of live plants, silk flowers, arrangements, and containers. Vogue also owns and operates The Flower Market, which caters to institutional customers such as restaurants. Vogue Flowers & Gifts is a proud member of the BBB, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and the Retail Merchants Association. For more information, please visit www.VogueFlowers.com.