FISCAL FLOWER POWER

By the time all the numbers have been tabulated, 1988 may turn out to be the biggest year ever for county florists. Second quarter sales (the latest data available) were 22% ahead of the first quarter and put flower fiscal power on a trajectory toward nearly $70 million. Here’s the trend in spending at flower shops since 1982:

Number Taxable % Increase from Per Capita Year of Stores Sales* Previous Year Expenditure April-June, 1988 402 19,035 ** +22 $8.50 Jan.-March, 1988 N/A 15,576 -- $6.96 1987 382 60,901 +15 27.76 1986 328 52,757 +13 24.05 1985 310 46,658 +6 21.75 1984 296 44,199 +16 20.94 1983 305 38,008 +14 18.42 1982 299 33,380 -- 16.39

* In thousands of dollars ** Increase from first quarter, 1988 N/A: Not available Source: California State Board of Equalization; Population Research Unit, California Department of Finance