Flowers can enrich a space and soothe the mind. They are also perfect as gifts since one can express feelings and thoughts through the language of flowers. Based on the concept of making the sharing of this wonderful gift more convenient, Internet HANA-cupid (i879 Co., Ltd.) was established as a joint venture between Sumitomo Corporation and HANA-cupid Cooperative which began its operation in 1953.

Internet HANA-cupid allows customers to place orders over the Internet with flowers delivered by flower shops close to the recipient's address. Currently about 540,000 orders are taken each year. Customers can place orders from the Internet or mobile sites offering a high quality floral gift service which is able to respond "any time, from any place, to any place for any occasion."

The third reason is that HANA-cupid member flower shops, with their expert florists, serve customers directly. They can make appropriate bouquets and flower arrangements for all occasions and deliver them along with messages from senders directly to recipients. These gifts link the sentiments of the heart between the sender to the recipient.

Having responded to many customers and having seen how they put their thoughts and feelings into the flowers they send, new possibilities for floral gifts have been realized, creating more opportunities to make proposals. One such proposal is "Happy Rose," which recommends sending red roses to celebrate a loved one's 60th birthday. People turning 60 these days are active in their work as well as their private life. To help celebrate their 60th birthday, the sending of 60 red roses, which signifies respect and passion in the language of flowers, has been proposed.

i879 also offers corporate customers various flower gift solutions, from celebratory gifts for the opening of stores or the starting of the businesses to floral gifts to express condolences in the event of the death of a loved one. Support in promotion and follow-up is also offered as well as help for companies in thanking employees through floral gifts for Christmas presents.

In addition to domestic delivery, delivery to more than 50 foreign countries is offered through the Overseas Flower Delivery Service in which affiliated members of a region or country close to the chosen destination deliver fresh flowers through the affiliated network.

In the future, i879 will build a system to manage everything from production to sales, enabling the delivery of flowers right after they are cut. Based on this system, the aim is to establish services that will make customers happier by allowing them to enjoy the gift of flowers for a longer period of time.