Articles

The Management Clinic Experience

The American Nursery and Landscape Association's (ANLA) Management Clinic is always a rewarding experience for attendees — the fun themes mixed with education and networking make it a good event for those in the green... more »

The Great Village

Coming up with new Christmas displays year after year can become quite trying. You want the merchandise to look fresh and new, you want to accentuate the current trends and you want it to be... more »

Transitioning From Holiday Promotions

In today's lawn and garden market, promotions impact sales in two ways: their ability to act as public relations tools and the value-added service they extend to existing and new customers. Events, both holiday and... more »

Sweet Home Chicago

Every November, Garden Centers of America (GCA) organizes a holiday garden center tour, and I have attended every one for the past four years. When you go on these tours, all you are expected to... more »

Winter Holidays 101

Christmas, some would say, is done to death in a retail environment. In one sense, it is such a huge holiday that, if improperly prepared for, could be the death of profits. But what of... more »

Recapping The Holidays

Recently, the National Retail Federation (NRF) reported that, overall, the 2006 holiday season was "modest," with a 4.4 percent increase. A 5-percent increase was what the group forecasted. When reading the annual Lawn & Garden... more »

Christmas Companions to Poinsettias

Go into many retail outlets during November and December and you are sure to find poinsettias. Displays are often stacked floor to ceiling and, more often than not, project the message "we have a boatload... more »

What’s Next For Christmas?

Every year retailers search for the latest "hot" item — that one product that will fly off the shelves. Your buying team needs to decide where to spend the bulk of your budget while at... more »

Beating the Holiday Blues

The holidays are always a time of year that many garden center retailers seem to dread. During one of your most creative seasons, the complaints I hear are that you put a lot of work... more »

Purchasing Decisions

Theresa, 36, Phoenix, Ariz. "It's all about price and convenience. There is a Home Depot nearby, and I usually get my garden soil from there. There is a Big Lots Wholesale store and a dollar... more »

Pohmer On…Looking Toward Organics

More companies are starting to look toward more environmentally friendly products. For example, in a 2006 issue of Forbes magazine, Scotts Miracle-Gro CEO Jim Hagedorn set a pretty lofty goal for his company, stating he... more »

Learn To Buy In Bulk

Most consumers know buying in bulk has its perks. With the growth of warehouse stores, like Sam's Club and Costco, it is no secret people like to buy more so they can save money in... more »