HONG KONG — What was once one of the busiest and most profitable weeks of the year for Hong Kong florists is increasingly becoming a source of anxiety, as a flood of low-cost graduation bouquets from neighbouring Shenzhen undercuts local flower shops and threatens the livelihoods of small businesses across the city.
Outside university campuses this graduation season, proud families carrying bouquets wrapped in pastel paper and adorned with teddy bears have become a familiar sight. But many of those arrangements were not purchased in Hong Kong.
Instead, a growing number of consumers are ordering bouquets from florists in Shenzhen, where lower rents, labour costs and wholesale flower prices allow businesses to sell elaborate graduation arrangements for a fraction of the price charged by Hong Kong shops.
“We used to count on graduation season to make up for slower months,” said a florist who has operated a shop in Kowloon for more than two decades. “Now customers come in, take photos of our bouquets, and then tell us they can get something similar from Shenzhen for half the price.”
Industry participants say social media platforms and same-day cross-border delivery services have accelerated the trend. Shenzhen-based florists advertise heavily on Chinese social media, showcasing oversized bouquets featuring imported roses, plush toys and custom decorations. Many offer prices between 30 and 50 per cent lower than comparable arrangements sold in Hong Kong.
The result, local florists say, is intensifying competition in a market already struggling with rising operating costs and changing consumer habits.
Commercial rents remain among the highest in the region, while labour expenses and logistics costs have continued to pressure margins. Several independent flower shop owners said graduation bouquets—once a reliable seasonal revenue source—have seen weaker demand this year despite a rebound in cross-border travel.
“Customers are more price-sensitive than before,” said another florist in Mong Kok. “They compare everything online. If they can save HK$200 or HK$300 on a bouquet, many will.”
Some consumers argue the shift is a rational response to economic realities. University graduate Emily Chan said her family ordered flowers from Shenzhen after comparing prices online.
“The bouquet looked beautiful and arrived on time,” she said. “For students and families who are already spending on graduation photos and celebrations, the savings matter.”
Cross-border purchasing has expanded beyond flowers in recent years, affecting sectors ranging from dining and retail to personal services. Hong Kong residents increasingly travel to Shenzhen for shopping and leisure, attracted by lower prices and a wider range of offerings.
Florists warn that the flower trade may be particularly vulnerable because bouquets are highly visual products that can be marketed effectively online, making price comparisons straightforward for consumers.
Industry representatives say the challenge extends beyond graduation season. If cross-border flower orders continue to grow, smaller neighbourhood florists may struggle to remain viable.
Some businesses have responded by focusing on premium arrangements, bespoke designs and faster local delivery. Others are experimenting with workshops, subscription services and corporate contracts to diversify revenue streams.
Still, many operators remain concerned.
“People think flowers are just flowers,” said one florist. “But every bouquet supports local workers, delivery drivers and small businesses. If customers keep moving across the border, some shops won’t survive.”
While it remains unclear how large the long-term impact will be, the graduation bouquet trade has become a symbol of a broader economic challenge facing Hong Kong’s small retailers: competing against lower-cost rivals just across the border.
For many florists, the coming graduation seasons may determine whether their businesses can adapt—or whether another traditional local industry is gradually squeezed out by the economics of cross-border commerce.