Articles

10158

So Many Chemicals, So Little Room

Insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides... there are so many different chemicals out there, how do you choose which to stock? Because of the amount of garden chemicals, it is very challenging for garden centers to accommodate... more »

10158

Cause for Concern

I've just read published reports of the discontinuation of the Plant for the Cure program. It seems cause marketing is yet another promotion opportunity that has seen limited development in the green industry. And that... more »

10158

Fighting Restrictions

It being March, many of you are gearing up for this month's start of what we hope will be a successful spring season. Those of you in warmer climates will see some very busy weekends,... more »

10140

The Sound of an Extra Sale

The gentle chirp of a robin, light whistle of the wind, rustling of the trees...Are you relaxed yet? No? Well, I guess you would need to hear the actual sounds right? That's precisely what Intratuin,... more »

10140

National Wildlife Week

April 21-27 is National Wildlife Week (NWW). Begun in 1938 by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), this celebratory week encourages children and adults across the country to learn and experience nature, starting in their own... more »

10140

Color Stacy’s Perennially Successful

Garden center retailing has always been about more than just opening up the doors at a reasonable hour and waiting for customers to flock in with open checkbooks and a Martha Stewart recommendation. Marketing a... more »

10140

The 2002 Christmas Highs and Drastic Lows

It was reported that 2001 was the slowest shopping season in more than a decade, but then 2002 came and a whole new low came for retailers. For some reason, however, the negative numbers did... more »

10140

Structuring Your Business, Part 1

You might think that renovating your business or embarking on a new construction project is something for "other" garden centers; that it costs too much; that it might not yield all the benefits you hope... more »

10140

TV ADS: DO THEY REALLY WORK?

Catch phrases, jingles, beautiful and famous people, loud and annoying voices — do these TV advertising tactics really work? Do TV advertisements in general even work? Now, we aren't saying buy a $2 million spot... more »

10140

The Time is upon us

My friends outside of the industry make jokes about how "difficult" the floriculture industry must be. Part of their argument is that we spend our days surrounded by beautiful plants; I guess they think we... more »

10140

Are Your Employees Ready for Spring?

Training is so essential for the success of any business; however, we often don't take the time to learn. Proper training saves money, time and increases employee morale.Proven Winners launched a program for independent retailers... more »

10140

Lawn & Garden Retailer Headlines

The National Garden Bureau (NGB) is making 2003 the "Year of the Poppy and Bean" to bring more people into gardening. According to the NGB, poppies and beans are recommended for beginning growers, and are... more »