Flowers being delivered in Athlone

Flowers being delivered in Athlone

Bank holidays mark some of the busiest times of the year for garden centres, florists, and retailers, as consumers take advantage of the long weekend to refresh their gardens and homes. Whether it’s buying fresh flowers for special occasions or stocking up on plants and shrubs for garden projects, demand for horticultural products surges around these key dates.

Meeting this seasonal spike in demand requires precise logistics planning and reliable temperature-controlled transport. At HANNON Transport, we ensure that fresh flowers, plants, and garden centre stock are delivered on time, in peak condition, and ready for sale.

Why Bank Holidays Drive Increased Demand

During bank holidays, consumers have more time to shop, plan home improvements, and enjoy outdoor spaces. This naturally leads to a sharp rise in demand for:

  • Fresh flowers – Bouquets and floral arrangements for celebrations, gifts, or home décor.
  • Garden plants and shrubs – Seasonal favourites such as bedding plants, perennials, and container-grown shrubs.
  • Compost, pots, and garden accessories – Essential supplies for DIY gardeners.

For retailers and garden centres, keeping shelves stocked is crucial to capitalising on this demand, which means efficient logistics are more important than ever.

Challenges of Supplying Fresh Flowers and Plants for Bank Holidays

The supply chain for flowers and plants is complex, especially when demand peaks during bank holiday weekends. Key challenges include:

Time-Sensitive Deliveries

  • Fresh flowers and plants are highly perishable, with limited shelf life
  • Retailers and florists require just-in-time deliveries to avoid overstocking or wastage.

Temperature and Humidity Control

  • Flowers and plants must be transported in climate-controlled conditions to maintain freshness.
  • Incorrect humidity levels can cause flowers to wilt, dry out, or develop mould before reaching customers.

International Sourcing & Cross-Border Logistics

  • A large proportion of fresh flowers sold in Ireland and the UK come from the Netherlands and Belgium.
  • Delays at ports or customs clearance can disrupt supply chains and affect quality.

Last-Minute Orders & Increased Demand

  • Bank holiday weekends bring unpredictable surges in demand, requiring logistics flexibility to accommodate urgent orders.

At HANNON Transport, we provide tailored logistics solutions to ensure that garden centres, florists, and retailers receive timely, reliable, and high-quality deliveries during peak periods.

How HANNON Ensures Smooth Supply Chain Operations for Bank Holidays

As specialists in temperature-controlled logistics, we offer end-to-end solutions for transporting fresh flowers, plants, and garden products across the UK, Ireland, and Europe.

Temperature-Controlled Transport for Perishable Goods

  • Our state-of-the-art refrigerated trailers maintain optimal temperatures to preserve the freshness of flowers and plants during transit.
  • We monitor humidity levels to prevent damage to delicate floral arrangements and potted plants.

Direct Transport from Key Growing Regions

  • We offer fast, efficient routes from the Netherlands and Belgium, ensuring flowers and plants arrive fresh and on time.
  • With regular groupage and full-load services, we provide cost-effective solutions for both small and large orders.

Flexibility to Meet Seasonal Demand

  • We adjust our transport schedules to accommodate increased bank holiday demand, ensuring garden centres and florists remain fully stocked.
  • Our extensive distribution network across Ireland and the UK enables us to meet last-minute order requests.

Reliable Delivery for Retailers and Garden Centres

  • We provide just-in-time deliveries to prevent overstocking and spoilage.
  • Our experienced drivers handle products with care, ensuring flowers and plants arrive in perfect condition.

Supporting the Horticulture Industry Through Peak Seasons

The horticulture industry relies on efficient, temperature-controlled logistics to keep up with seasonal demand. At HANNON Transport, we work closely with:

  • Florists & Wholesalers – Ensuring a steady supply of fresh cut flowers during peak sales periods.
  • Garden Centres & Nurseries – Delivering seasonal plants, shrubs, and garden products to meet increased demand.
  • Retailers & Supermarkets – Providing timely stock replenishment to ensure shelves are full for bank holiday shoppers.

Whether transporting roses for a florist, bedding plants for a garden centre, or bulk shipments for major retailers, we ensure that every delivery arrives fresh, on time, and ready for sale.

Keeping Up with Bank Holiday Demand

Bank holidays are a golden opportunity for florists, garden centres, and retailers, but they also present unique challenges in logistics and stock management. Reliable temperature-controlled transport is essential to ensure products remain fresh, vibrant, and sale-ready.

At HANNON Transport, we offer expert horticultural logistics solutions, helping businesses navigate the complexities of peak-season demand. With our efficient transport network, precise temperature control, and flexible scheduling, we keep supply chains running smoothly—even during the busiest times of the year.

Collecting flowers in the Netherlands
UK Landbridge Optimal for Fresh Produce

UK Landbridge Remains Optimal for Fresh Produce

https://hannontransport.com/2024/05/01/uk-landbridge-remains-optimal-for-fresh-produce-despite-new-checks/

Accepting the award on behalf of HANNON Transport Group: L-R: Steve Breen, Operations Director, Thyme IT with Simon McKeever, CEO of the IEA and Colin Dunne, President of the IEA & Joint Managing Director of International Warehousing & Transport (IWT).

HANNON win prestigious “Logistics & Supply Chain Company of the Year” award at the 2024 Irish Export Industry Awards in Dublin

HANNON Transport Group wins Logistics & Supply Chain Company of the Year

HANNON Transport
Temperature Controlled Logistics
Ireland, UK & Europe

Get in touch to find out more about our daily refrigerated services providing transport and customs for consignments of fresh produce between Netherlands and Ireland…

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Chilled & Frozen Logistics

Europe, UK & Ireland

Over 25 years experience

Over 400 dedicated employees, working from several European hubs, delivering operational excellence.