FTD's New Online Training Tutorial is the
First of its Kind in the Floral Industry
FTD University is a unique web-based program exclusively for FTD Members

DOWNERS GROVE, IL. (October 11, 2006) - FTD Members can now experience the industry's first comprehensive online education and training course with a new program called FTD University (www.ftduniversity.com), a web-based tool exclusively for FTD Members. Accessible any time, day or night, FTD University provides flower shop owners and their employees with valuable courses that are tailored specifically for floral shop associates.

"It's important for every retail business to stay ahead of the competition by providing first-rate customer service and retaining a common knowledge of the offered products. The floral industry is no different," said Bill Van Cleave, Executive Vice President of FTD Member Services. "Whether an existing floral shop employee desires a refresher course or a new employee needs to learn the basic skills, FTD University will present customer service skills and a basic knowledge of floral products in order to guide consumers to a product that will best meet their needs."

The 15-minutes sessions within FTD University include:
· Customer service
· General knowledge of cut flowers and blooming plants
· Care and handling of cut flowers and blooming plants
· Handling an order through delivery

Each session is followed by several questions that test the employees on what they have learned. The shop owner can then view the individual test scores and print certificates of course completion.

"To keep florists updated with the industry's most important issues and trends, we plan to continuously add new courses to FTD University such as design business, marketing, sales and technology point-of-sale," said Van Cleave.

All FTD Members have access to FTD University for all of their employees as part of the FTD Quality Assurance Program. To access FTD University, flower shop owners and their employees can visit www.ftduniversity.com where they can set up a personal ID and password on the FTD University home page and complete the training program any time at their leisure.

ABOUT FTD GROUP, INC.
FTD Group, Inc. is a leading provider of floral-related products and services to consumers and retail florists, as well as other retail locations offering floral products, in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Ireland. The business is supported by the highly recognized FTD and Interflora brands. Both brands are supported by the Mercury Man logo, which is displayed in approximately 50,000 floral shops globally. The consumer businesses operate primarily through the www.FTD.COM Web site in the U.S. and Canada and the www.interflora.co.uk Web site in the U.K. and Ireland and are complemented by the florist businesses, which provide products and services to the independent florist networks.

Press Contact
Megan Buchanan
FTD Inc.
3113 Woodcreek Drive
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Tel: 630-724-6540
Email: mbuchanan@ftdi.com

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