The story of Agora

Agora's story began in 1981, when Marc Van Turnhout and his wife Gerd opened their first flower wholesale business in Kontich under the name Floris. Marc purchased flowers from the Dutch flower auction, while Gerd managed the store. What started as a local business quickly grew into a trusted name in the floriculture sector. In 1985, plants were added to the assortment, marking the beginning of a successful new chapter.

In 1990, the first Cash & Carry location opened in Kontich, bringing flowers, plants, and accessories together under one roof. As the first full-service wholesale concept of its kind in Belgium, Agora became a pioneer in the industry, with Kontich growing into the headquarters of the Agora Group.

In 1987, Agora expanded into France with the opening of its first location near Lille, marking the beginning of an international growth journey that would continue for decades. In 1993, the company launched its own transport operation, enabling more flexible and reliable deliveries to customers. Four years later, in 1997, Agora opened its French headquarters in Carvin.

In 1999, founder Marc Van Turnhout sadly passed away at the age of 39. At that time, Agora had grown to around 300 employees. Thanks to their dedication and commitment, Gerd chose to continue the family business, carrying it forward with the same passion and determination that had inspired it from the very beginning.

In 2016, Marc and Gerd's four children – Ellen, Jolien, Katrin, and Nick Van Turnhout – joined the management team after years of preparing for their roles within the company. Their arrival ensured the continuation of Agora as a family-owned business, staying true to its roots while looking confidently to the future.

In 2018, Agora opened a state-of-the-art distribution center in Aalsmeer, strategically located next to the Dutch flower auction. From this central platform, flowers and plants are distributed daily to all our branches across Belgium and France.

The opening of the Aalsmeer distribution center marked a major step in the continued growth and professionalisation of the Agora Group, further strengthening our logistics network and service.

Today, Agora continues to invest in innovation, with a fully developed webshop, seasonal inspiration, and Belle d'Avalane, our own line of freeze-dried flowers, completing the range.

The scale has changed, but the approach has not. With flowers, plants, and accessories under one roof, dedicated sourcing teams, direct grower partnerships, and our own logistics network, we deliver quality and freshness every day.

Just as Marc Van Turnhout envisioned in 1981.