Crossword Genius

Gathers flowers for minor suppliers (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tuck shops

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'minor suppliers' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'gathers flowers' is the wordplay.
'gathers' becomes 'tucks' ('tuck' can be a synonym of 'gather').
'flowers' becomes 'hops' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'tucks'+'hops'='TUCK-SHOPS'

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tuck shops that I've seen before include "where 10 [SCHOLLBOY] s buy food" , "more than one place selling confectionery" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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