Blog

Sep 26, 2012
Hopped Up on Gen X and Ypmihalek

I know that we, as an industry, tend to get pretty hopped up on Generations X and Y. We're constantly in search of new, cool ways to grab the attention of these young consumers. Well, do me a favor an... more

Sep 12, 2012
Making “New” Last Longerpmihalek

In this month's editorial "What's New With You," I wrote about the power of "new" and how positioning new products effectively can make a big impact on the shopping experience you create. To stay alon... more

Sep 6, 2012
What’s New With You?pmihalek

Give me a gimmick. Is it new packaging, better ingredients, limited edition — or maybe what you’re selling is new and improved? I love a good gimmick. Tell me a story. Was it handmade by a respect... more

Aug 22, 2012
The Year Of…pmihalek

It's here! The IGC Show, that is, and on Monday, things kicked off with a retail tour in West Chicagoland. Two standout stops were Blumen Gardens and The Growing Place, both of which further prove tha... more

Aug 8, 2012
Approaching the Summitpmihalek

Right now, at this very moment, I'm in East Lansing, Michigan, for the All-America Selections Summer Summit. This event invites "AAS participants, supporters, AAS Display Gardens, media and garden wri... more

Aug 2, 2012
Goodwill All Aroundpmihalek

Can I have 50 bucks? How about a $50 gift card for the silent auction, or might you have a few minutes to talk about sponsoring the upcoming garden walk?Yes ... No? Maybe you can check with the owner ... more

Aug 2, 2012
It Takes a Thiefpmihalek

There comes a time in your life when you realize that you’re not that smart or creative; there are others out there that are far more creative and smarter than I am. This discovered reality is somet... more

Aug 2, 2012
It Takes a Thiefpmihalek

There comes a time in your life when you realize that you’re not that smart or creative; there are others out there that are far more creative and smarter than I am. This discovered reality is somet... more

Jul 25, 2012
Going Through the Motionspmihalek

From Orlando, Florida, to Puyallup, Washington, I've been fortunate enough to visit A LOT of garden centers. And if you ever catch me saying: "If you've seen one garden center, you've seen them all," ... more

Jul 11, 2012
Taking Care of Mother (Earth)pmihalek

So the last two or three weeks in Chicago have been warm, to say the least. I think we recorded the warmest June on record, with more than a dozen days above 90, and more than a handful of days flirti... more

Jul 5, 2012
Time – Your Big Investmentpmihalek

I’m sure that, like me, you leave educational events and trade shows, such as the OFA Short Course, full of energy, inspired and with a sense of empowerment with great new approaches to business and... more

Jul 5, 2012
Get Far Enough Awaypmihalek

After you give this July issue of Lawn & Garden Retailer a good read, I’m sure you’ll have noticed a considerable chunk of its content was either written by or in connection with someone or so... more