Articles

The Realities of Mathematics

I just got back from the Super Floral Show (SFS) in Orlando, Fla., and the Seeley Conference at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. SFS is a trade show that's primarily focused on the indoor floral... more »

Selling Nature

After allowing space for traffic flow, every other square foot of your sales floor is valuable — so it's important to use it wisely. Great numbers of varied merchandise spur sales; customers will slow down... more »

Selling Eco(nomically) Friendly Products

Stocking eco-friendly products can help garden centers attract customers: Organic, nonthreatening products can be a real draw, especially with the chemicals and synthetic products often associated with gardening. "The [green] market is continuing to grow... more »

Here Comes Santa Claus

Christmas hasn't always been all sleigh bells and mistletoe. In fact, Puritans canceled Christmas in England in 1645, and Christmas celebrations were outlawed in Boston from 1659 to 1681: People could be fined five shillings... more »

’Tis the Season to be Trendy

Holiday trends are constantly changing, and choosing which products to offer your customers each season can be a real challenge. You need to take into consideration everything from the hottest new hues to the latest... more »

Educate to Decorate

Everyone knows the educated consumer buys more. And as a retailer, you need to do everything in your power to teach customers what to do with the products you display and sell. Since we started... more »

Streamline Your Operations

Have you ever stood in the backroom scratching your head, trying to figure out why there is a disparity in your inventory? Ever wished your staff could spend more time on customer relations and less... more »

Leaders of the Pack

The response to our call for nominations for the second annual Merchandiser of the Year competition was overwhelming! Entries were coming in right down to the wire, and each nominee brought a unique perspective on... more »

An Unpredictable Spring

As many of you can attest to, this spring season has been anything but predictable. From erratic weather, to a slow economy, new consumer purchasing behaviors and unexpected trends, these last few months defy simple... more »

Tips for Encouraging Halloween Sales

Q: Do you have any ideas on how to scare up additional Halloween sales? There's no doubt about it, people love to decorate for Halloween. Homeowners use this fall event to kick off the October... more »

The Five People You Meet

Author Mitch Albom wrote a book in 2003 called The Five People You Meet in Heaven, the story of a man who dies, goes to Heaven and is visited, Christmas Carol style, by five people... more »

(Garden) Help Wanted

Gay, 61 Topeka, Kan. "Even those of us who have been gardening forever and pretty much know the ins and outs can face a problem that we have not encountered before. Many years ago, as... more »