Management
A goal without a plan is just a wish
Based on my experience of working with retailers in many different fields and of a multitude of sizes, I’m constantly amazed that, when planning for the upcoming season or year, too many simply look at... more »
Revamp Your Retail Series: Consumer psychology
Consumers have a lot on their minds most days. Horticultural professionals, retailers and growers may be inclined to think they get a lot of “brain time” from their customers, that customers are thoughtful about the... more »Proven Winners schedules 2024 Fall Roadshows
Proven Winners has scheduled two Roadshows this fall, designed for retailers, growers, brokers, landscapers and anyone who works in the green industry. Roadshows are opportunities to learn about upcoming trends, brainstorm with like-minded industry pros... more »
Turning a lifelong education into a houseplant business
I was 16 when I fell in love with plants, 18 when I started my horticulture education and 30 when I started a business that allowed me to share my passion with others. The year... more »
Who packed your parachute?
As I was doing some research to write this column, I was taken back to a time many years ago — one that demonstrates, as much as our industry has changed, it somehow remains the... more »
Leveraging artificial intelligence in your garden center
As chief technology officer of Chalet, my family’s Chicago-based garden center and landscape business, I’ve migrated our software to “the cloud” over the last seven years. This “cloud” is where artificial intelligence (AI) lives — because... more »
Revamp Your Retail Series: Online and in-store plant buyers
While the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 made purchasing through the cellphone a reality, the horticulture industry is still relatively new to online shopping. Prior to COVID-19, a small percentage of sales (approximately 5%)... more »
Knowledge is the new currency
The brain can turn to mush pretty quickly over the summer, and teachers want to avoid summer learning loss by sending kids home with reading assignments or offering summer classes. According to a Brookings Institution... more »
Measuring a customer’s value
Seasonal businesses — like many garden centers — pose some unique “opportunities” that year-round retailers don’t have to handle. Most seasonal stores’ customers shop them once or twice a year, yet almost none of the products... more »
Garden Center Group reveals 2024 Fall Event details
The Garden Center Group Fall Event 2024 will take place Sept. 23-26 in Dallas, Texas, with an Early Bird Marketing Workshop (included in the cost of registration) scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 22. Highlights include: From... more »
Can we talk? Improving communication in your garden center
When you work in a garden center, you wear many hats and need various skills. Garden center staff keeps plants in good shape, displays the merchandise attractively, makes sure the stock is accessible and assists... more »
Revamp Your Retail Series: Pricing products
Pricing products is both art and science. It may be a challenge for some businesses, but pricing is a topic every management team should discuss at least once or twice a year. While pricing can... more »
Videos
News
December 3, 2024
Monrovia makes nursery leadership changes
December 2, 2024
PPA seeks 2025 Landscape Design Award entries
November 27, 2024
Costa Farms displays holiday décor inspiration at Atlanta media event
November 27, 2024
Terra Nova Nurseries’ varieties receive awards
November 27, 2024
Selecta One publishes 2025 poinsettias catalog
November 27, 2024
Bloomin’ Easy introduces gardening app
November 22, 2024
