ATLANTA, Feb. 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

• Air shipment demand drives forecasted transportation of 89 million flowers; up from 88 million in 2018
• Last-minute sweethearts can ship as late as Feb. 13
• Use promo-code “EASY” to save up to 40%

We might be in a digital age, but, when it comes to the year’s sweetest holiday, an emoji-filled text just won’t do. That’s why UPS (NYSE: UPS) is gearing up its global logistics of love network to deliver an estimated 89 million flowers in time for Valentine’s Day.

The projection, an increase of one million from the number of flowers delivered in 2018, means about nine million pounds of blooms will crisscross the globe in time for Cupid’s big day. To ensure these precious flowers arrive at peak freshness, UPS shepherds the shipments from colorful growing fields in Latin America through the Miami International Airport, where UPS is one of the largest air cargo carriers, to final recipients in less than two days. UPS has added 50 extra flights during this period to handle what is expected to be more than 517,000 bloom-filled boxes.

“UPS is ready to deliver flowers with a speed rivaling Cupid’s arrows,” said Kevin Warren, UPS’s chief marketing officer. “This is made possible by our intelligent logistics network, which can deftly handle everything from precious flowers to a critical healthcare supply and everything in-between.”

UPS’s state-of-the-art network ensures that flowers arrive in pristine condition. Temperature-controlled aircraft and trucks carefully transport the precious blooms from fields in countries like Ecuador and Colombia to the United States. Teams then meet the shipments at the Miami UPS facilities and rush them to an enormous refrigerated warehouse cooler the size of about five basketball courts. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents inspect and sort the boxes for fast clearance before flower distributors pick them up and get them to delivery. 

“The need for a reliable logistics partner is crucial for us to spread joy and love to our customers around the globe,” said Galo Sanchez, executive vice president of The Elite Flower, Colombia’s largest privately-owned flower farm. “Because we know millions of sweethearts are counting on us, every year, we depend on UPS’s operational expertise to ensure that love blooms on Valentine’s Day.”

According to the National Retail Federation, U.S. consumers will spend an estimated $20.7 billion, up from $19.6 billion a year ago, on gifts for Valentine’s Day. Roughly $1.9 billion of that will come from flowers.

Those looking to send last-minute gifts in time for Valentine’s Day, can do so as late as Feb. 13 using UPS Next Day Air® service. Click here for the UPS Valentine’s Day Shipping Calendar.

To sweeten the season, UPS is extending its “EASY” campaign, which offers savings ranging from 20% off list rates for UPS Ground shipments within the U.S. and up to 40% off UPS air services within the U.S. and selected worldwide services, including shipments to Canada and Mexico. To take advantage of instant savings, customers enter the promo code EASY when shipping on ups.com. Additional information is also available here and the promotion is valid for any U.S. shipper, including those in Alaska or Hawaii. (Terms and conditions apply.)

For visuals of how UPS transports flowers from farm-to-consumer in less than two days, please visit pressroom.ups.com.

About UPS

UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. UPS was awarded America’s Best Customer Service company for Shipping and Delivery services by Newsweek magazine; Fortune magazine’s Most Valuable Brand in Transportation; and top rankings on the JUST 100 list for social responsibility, the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, and the Harris Poll Reputation Quotient, among other prestigious rankings and awards. The company can be found on the web at ups.com or pressroom.ups.com and its corporate blog can be found at longitudes.ups.com. The company’s sustainability eNewsletter, UPS Horizons, can be found at ups.com/sustainabilitynewsletter. To get UPS news direct, follow @UPS_News on Twitter.