FLORIST

With consumers' increased interest in using flowers and plants to beautify their surroundings, it's expected that demand for florists will remain strong. Most opportunities exist in retail florist shops, where florists work as self-employed owners or as employees. Nurseries and garden centers, as well as large hotels and resorts, may also employ florists. Increasingly, large supermarkets are hiring florists and managers to sell cut flowers and plants, and to design arrangements. Florists can also work for large wholesale florist operations, where they care for cut flowers and plants, and supervise delivery of shipments, rather than design arrangements.