Florists sidelined by Topbloemen.nl

Topbloemen.nl is part of Topgeschenken.nl, and also delivers gifts, cakes and fruit baskets. The webshop wants to take control of the logistics itself and will set up its own logistics in-house from nine regional distribution centers to be opened this year. Also, as of January 1, 2025, the previously agreed purchase benefits, including a gross margin guarantee of 50% and an order contribution of two euros will stop, according to Topbloemen.

Trade association VBW reports that there has been a lot of unrest among involved florists affected by this. VBW, in cooperation with Plantion, therefore organized two meetings, on June 12 and 26, focusing on the situation surrounding Topbloemen. Many florists told their stories and each other's insights were shared. Individual entrepreneurial suffering, harrowing stories, disbelief and dismay prevailed. In the meantime, VBW attempted to reach further coordination with Topbloemen. Unfortunately, this consultation did not yield the intended result, making legal action inevitable.

Meanwhile VBW has started summary proceedings against Topbloemen following the termination of the cooperation between Topbloemen and florists. This has now taken place on August 23 at 10 am at the Court of Haarlem. The goal of these summary proceedings was threefold: Termination of exclusive cooperation with Topbloemen until the end of the contract; Order guarantee until the end of the contract of 80% of the orders of the past twelve months; Retention of margin guarantee 50% and other agreed purchasing advantages. In order to then also be able to start proceedings for compensation.

VBW still hopes that consultations with Topbloemen will yield a suitable result. During the printing of this edition of DPK Floral magazine , the outcome of the summary proceedings was not yet known.