How I Spent My Summer “Staycation”
Remember, back in grade school, writing those one-paragraph essays about all the great things you did over the summer? Mine always involved “extracurricular enrichment” classes in photography or cooking, or long days spent lounging and splashing at the pool. I always envied the kids who came back with photos of their vacations to foreign countries or weeks spent at sleep-away camps though my stint at Girl Scout Camp was anything but pleasant.
Now we’re all grown up, and for many, this summer’s plans include no exotic vacations. This year, it’s all about the “staycation.” I’m not a big fan of this cutesy new term, but I have to admit: The concept has merit. With the tax season’s stimulus checks long gone (or earmarked for more pressing expenditures) and gas prices continually climbing to record levels, it just makes sense for people to stick closer to home, take advantage of the warm weather and enjoy the kids’ break from school in their own backyards instead of some faraway locale.
Sell to the “Staycationer”
Obviously, this is where you come in! In light of the poor housing market, consumers seem to be making a bigger investment in where they live now, including their gardens. In the past few months, they bought up containers, hanging baskets and flats upon flats of flowers to beautify their at-home surroundings, and this summer you can help them continue that trend.
The products you sell in your stores can encourage customers to spend more time outside with their loved ones. As popular as Nintendo’s Wii Fit has already become, there’s no replacement for a family barbecue out in a colorful, thriving backyard. So get them out there! If you’ve been reading P. Allen Smith’s columns in the past few months, he’s offered some great pointers for summer merchandising: creating lifestyle vignettes with backyard furniture, offering plans for beautiful mixed containers and even recipes using those fresh herbs you’re selling. This month’s cover is from Allen and provides a few wonderfully patriotic ideas you might be able to use at your garden center. Visit our online archives at www.lgrmag.com for his past columns and more inspiration.
A Bit of Travel
For some garden center owners, summer is also an opportunity to take a breather from the frenetic pace of spring and step back to reflect a little. Maybe this can be an opportunity to reward yourself with registration for an upcoming industry event. If you do make it to any of the garden center tours or highly valuable trade shows, keep an eye out for us! Staff members from Lawn & Garden Retailer and our sister magazine, GPN, have a real presence this summer. I participated in last month’s GCA Summer Tour in North Carolina, and Associate Editor Darhiana Mateo rode along on ANLA’s Retail Roadshow in Ohio. Next month, the Independent Garden Center Show takes Chicago’s Navy Pier by storm, and you can find me at the Farwest Show in Portland, Ore.
And shortly after this issue reaches your desks, our entire staff will be flying to Columbus, Ohio, for OFA’s Short Course. It will be my first trip to this event, and I can’t wait to put more names to faces and experience the spectacle. I’m especially looking forward to the special session on women’s time management, which our publications are sponsoring, and all the programs focusing on sustainability.
Luxuriate and Educate
Most lawn and garden retailers are too busy during this season to venture too far from home anyway, but there are plenty of opportunities for a little education or even relaxation right near where you are. How will you spend your summer staycation?
I’m planning to step into many different Chicago-area backyards on a couple of neighborhood garden tours this summer. Trade shows and garden center tours are obviously helpful in their own ways, but getting a glimpse of how consumers translate what they’ve seen and purchased at the garden center once they get it home? Indispensable.
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