FTD is a company that sells flowers and specialty gifts. It's been in existence since 1910! What is unique is that it gets its wide reach by connecting a network of about 20,000 North American retail florists. Nationwide orders are matched with a local florist.
In 1993 FTD.com was founded as a new company, funded by FTD, to sell direct to consumers through the internet and 1-800-SEND-FTP. The previous year, 1-800-FLOWERS, was started--the first major player to use the internet to sell flowers. FTD.com went public in 1999, 6 years after its launch. It announced its profitability one year after that, and in 2002 it became a wholly owned subsidiary of FTD.
Dimensions: 772 people x 96 years for FTD (11 for FTD.com) x $397 million in 2005
Funding: Initial funding from parent company + IPO in 1999
Customers: General public interested in delivery of flowers and specialty gifts
Location: Chicago [Downers Grove] + www.ftd.com
