What Does FTD Stand for in the Flower Business?
Over the past 99 years, the public has become familiar with the letters "FTD" being attached to the flowers they send or receive, but few know what the acronym means.
Basics
Since 1965, the "FTD" in the term "FTD Florist" has stood for Florists' Transworld Delivery.
History
In August of 1910, FTD started as a non-profit cooperation between 15 florists who agreed to exchange their out of town orders through the telegraph. The original name of the company was Florists' Telegraph Company or FTD. In 1914, the company chose the Roman messenger god, Mercury, as their logo to symbolize the speed of the FTD service.
Geography
There are approximately 16,000 FTD retail florists in the United States and Canada. Worldwide, FTD has a network of approximately 45,000 florists in 154 countries.
- Over the past 99 years, the public has become familiar with the letters "FTD" being attached to the flowers they send or receive, but few know what the acronym means.
- Since 1965, the "FTD" in the term "FTD Florist" has stood for Florists' Transworld Delivery.
Significance
FTD processes approximately 12 million flower orders per year.
Fun Fact
According to a 1974 article in Nation's Business, the FBI would check FTD's records whenever a suspected "mobster" died to see who was sending flowers to the funeral service or family.
Related Articles
References
- "Say It with Flowers, and the FBI Listens," Nation's Business, March 1974, p. 41
Writer Bio
Lisa Wilson has a diverse background that includes starting and running a construction company, working as a business consultant, and three years as the development director for a Catholic high school. She has freelanced for 10 years and has been published in "Irish America," "Woodcraft" and various trade journals and newspapers.
