Jim McCann

Jim McCann is a highly successful entrepreneur whose vision and energy have helped grow 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, the company he founded in 1976, into the world’s leading florist and gift company.

McCann’s focus on customer relationships and his willingness to embrace new technologies and business channels helped change the way flowers and other gifts are marketed for birthdays,

anniversaries, holidays and special occasions.

McCann recognized early on the enormous potential in providing on-the-go consumers with the ability to express themselves and connect with the important people in their lives through top quality floral gifts combined with exemplary, personal service.  McCann has also consistently managed to stay ahead of the curve in multi-channel retailing by embracing new technologies, such as 800 phone numbers and the Internet, often long before other retailers recognized the opportunities that these developments would provide both for business and consumers.

In addition to being the first company to have its 800-telephone number as its name – a marketing insight that helped solidify the brand in consumer’s minds – McCann was a pioneer in online retailing – seizing the enormous reach of the Internet as early as 1991.  Utilizing thorough knowledge of his customer base and market, McCann focused on expanding brand name awareness and instilling a sense of trust and convenience.

McCann’s strategy for growth includes an effective combination of birthing new businesses and making

acquisitions of businesses and brands that resonate with customers as great sources for exceptional gifts. One such new business is the BloomNet® wire service which provides retail florists with diverse resources such as website hosting, a comprehensive technology platform for retail store management and the industry’s first and only online digital floral directory. On the acquisition front, McCann has expanded his company’s gift offerings, and become a leading player in the Gourmet Food and Gift Baskets business, by acquiring such iconic brands as: Fannie May®, makers of gourmet chocolate and other confections; Cheryl&Co.®, creators of individually-wrapped fresh baked cookies, brownies and cakes; and The Popcorn Factory®, which offers gourmet popcorn and other snacks in exclusively designed collectible tins.

McCann attributes much of his success to the lessons he learned in his first career, in the social services.

At St. John’s Home for Boys in Rockaway, New York, McCann recalls, he helped underprivileged youths

learn how to overcome the many challenges of their environment. His experiences greatly influenced his

management style and prepared him to lead 1-800-FLOWERS.COM toward becoming one of the world’s most successful multi-channel retailers.

Stop and Sell the Roses

The story of Jim McCann, tracing his early days as a social worker in New York City through the development of 1-800-FLOWERS.com as an internet pioneer and a leading gift company.

What Being a Social Worker Taught Me

How McCann’s years spent running a home for boys in New York City influenced the management style he uses today.

The Importance of Relationship Building and Customer Service

Nothing is more important than customer service, and to McCann, nothing establishes strong customer service more than building a relationship. But how do you do that? He has some definite ideas…

Lessons as an e-Commerce Pioneer

1-800-FLOWERS.com was a pioneer of e-commerce in 1992, when it became one of the first companies to sell online. The company has continued to enhance its pioneer reputation over the years. Learn some of the company’s secrets of its online success.