Ferns N Petals: From A Local Flower Shop In Delhi To Becoming 360 Cr Brand

When it comes to finding the perfect gift for your loved ones on special occasions like anniversaries or birthdays, one name that probably comes to every Delhiite’s mind is FNP (Ferns N Petals). It is one of the biggest flower and gift shops in India, bringing happiness to millions of people across the country. Founded by Vikaas Gutgutia, FNP has become the largest florist chain in India, having more than 320 store locations. In this blog, we will uncover the entire journey of Ferns N Petals so far and understand how his founder reached the heights of success. 

How Did It Begin? 

It all started in the 90s when Vikaas Gutgutia, who hailed from a small village in Bihar, moved to Kolkata for higher education. In Kolkata, Vikaas used to work in his uncle’s flower shop where he learned the craft of creating bouquets as well as floral arrangements after hours of immersing himself in the complexities of the floral industry. 

Later, when he relocated to Delhi, he was both surprised and shocked by the lack of options available in the flower market back then. He wanted to give a bouquet of beautiful flowers to his girlfriend but he couldn’t find a single place selling a diverse range of flowers. 

This led him to explore and study the flower market in Delhi. At this, Vikaas found out that local florists in Delhi were providing a very limited variety of flowers and there were no standalone shops or delivery options. Moreover, the designs of bouquets at that time often lacked imagination and people had accepted this standard of gifting. 

Even though Gutgutia had no intentions to become an entrepreneur, he took the plunge after seeing an opportunity in the floral market. In 1994, Vikaas opened the first store of his small venture – Ferns N Petals in a 200 sq ft space in South Delhi.

Obstacles In The Road

The first few months were quite challenging for Ferns N Petals as the Delhi government gave the order to close the store. Also, in the beginning, Vikaas didn’t have enough funds to start his business so, he borrowed Rs 2.5 lakh from one of his friends in Kolkata. Vikaas’ ‘never say die’ attitude in the face of adversity actually made him a big entrepreneur. 

Carrying a cordless phone to stay in touch with his loyal clients, Gutgutia approached banquet halls in Delhi in search of new prospects. Fortunately, in 1997, he signed a contract with the Taj Hotel and after seven hard and struggling years of his life, Vikaas’ dream startup finally reached the pinnacle of success. 

Success of Ferns N Petals

Despite the obstacles in the road, Ferns N Petals continued to thrive and grow. Today, the brand has established its presence across all the top cities of India, with the company pioneering the concept of the organised flower market in the country. As of January 2024, Ferns N Petals operates more than 400 franchise outlets in 125 cities across India.

The company is also  embracing a mobile-first approach with the relaunch of its new app, featuring a sleek interface for an enhanced shopping experience. In 2022, FNP valued at USD 28.4 billion. One of the key factors behind the success of Ferns N Petals is its ability to adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer preferences.