Articles

Creating A Fountain Department

Deciding on a fountain department is a big leap. For those of you who have taken this leap, you are well aware of the work involved. Yet this step could establish an advantage over the... more »

Is The Customer Always Right?

The age-old expression "the customer is always right" means different things to different people. Some customers expect you to bend over backwards to meet their expectations no matter how grandeur. They believe they are right... more »

Embrace An Inviting Space

It's a fairly simple idea: Make a store so inviting, so comfortable that customers want to linger among the products. The longer they linger, the more likely it is they will pick up additional purchases... more »

Container Water Gardens: Perfect For Any Space

What's holding your customers back from digging a hole and adding a perfectly peaceful aquatic paradise to their back yards? Is it the price? Size? The uncertainty of it all? Will homeowners even like adding... more »

Keeping It In The Family

Last month, I talked about some of the reasons businesses fail when they are passed down to the second or third generation. Specifically, such businesses lack pre-planning, lack sufficient training for the new kids in... more »

Healthful Gardening

When it comes to promoting the health benefits of gardening and plants, retailers are still in the waiting room. Few lawn and garden centers promote lugging bags of mulch around, along with weeding, digging and... more »

Taking a Humble Approach

Every year at this time, I find myself complaining that I never have enough time: I am traveling to a lot of shows and putting two magazines out, and I know I will not see... more »

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Feeling The Winds of Change

Each year Lawn & Garden Retailer asks a number of well-known industry professionals to make their predictions for the new year. This year is no different. We have different perspectives from a retailer, a few... more »

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Making Impulse Items Work

Impulse items are a great way to add on to existing sales. But what is the best way for garden center retailers to make sure customers take notice? It is important not to bombard customers... more »

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Welcome Back Terrariums

Terrariums, those tantalizing miniature conservatories, are making a comeback as art projects, in-home décor and gardeners' delights. They are basically independent ecosystem under glass, a garden in a bottle. They are an exercise in ecology,... more »

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Consumer Talk: Meet the Folks

Welcome to the first edition of Lawn & Garden Retailer's "Consumer Talk." This panel is made up of 10 participants of all ages, locations and gardening levels to do tasks and answer questions about their... more »

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Pohmer On: Lessons To Be Learned…Wal-Mart

OK, after reading the headline, you're probably expecting a discourse on how low prices drive business and how you should jump on that bandwagon. Don't take me wrong... Wal-Mart is a very successful company that... more »