Management
Retail trends begin with the consumer
As business managers, we all anxiously wait for industry gurus to announce the latest trends each year so that we can incorporate — or at least benchmark — them against the activities and actions in... more »Using financial data to make better business decisions
With peak season behind you, new products from the summer markets and Cultivate still fresh in mind, August is the ideal time to prepare for the next growing and buying cycle. By reviewing forecasting, profitability,... more »
How garden center leaders can build employee ownership and reduce management bottlenecks
One of the biggest patterns I’ve noticed while coaching garden centers is how much pressure owners and managers are carrying right now. Most leadership teams feel stretched thin. Everyone needs answers from them all day... more »
From doing to developing: How garden center leaders build stronger teams
In my many years of working with and advising companies of all sizes and across many industries, I’ve repeatedly encountered people in leadership positions who perfectly illustrate the Peter Principle. First introduced by Laurence J.... more »
What garden retail customers actually want from their shopping experience
Most garden center owners think they know what customers want: better prices, more inventory, convenient hours. And while those things matter, they’re not what creates the kind of loyalty that turns first-time visitors into weekly... more »
The strategy behind the strategy
There are three types of change that can occur, affecting your garden center — and in life: change by crisis, change by drift and change by design. The first, change by crisis, is not what... more »
Weeding out the AI hype
The artificial intelligence (AI) buzz is everywhere, but for most garden center owners, it feels like an invasive species: a fast-moving, confusing and hard-to-manage technology that is potentially disruptive. As a lifelong advocate for smarter... more »
How garden retailers can become a pain reliever
By anticipating customers’ problems and needs, garden retailers can provide solutions and build loyalty. I recently bought new iPhones for my wife and myself — the 17 Pro Max for her and the 17 Pro... more »
Sizing your product assortment strategically
A young couple stands in front of rows and rows of plants, neatly organized by names that mean nothing to them. Do annuals come back every year? I thought there was only one type of... more »
Why good managers leave
Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with garden center owners and senior managers about staffing challenges. We usually start by talking about hiring and how hard it is to find good people, and eventually... more »
Innovative Ideas: Pro tips for attracting the most meaningful hires this spring
For many garden centers, spring hiring is a frantic dash to fill open positions. But what if you could attract a steady stream of highly qualified candidates before the rush even begins? At Watters Garden... more »
Ken Lain to host online presentation on succession planning
Ken Lain, CEO of Garden Outfitters private equity group and second-generation owner of Watters Garden Center, will be presenting "Don't Die with Your Business: Why Waiting to Exit Is Your Biggest Risk" at 9 a.m.... more »
Videos
News
August 18, 2026
Monrovia names Celeste Porter CFO
August 18, 2026
DRAMM hires Northeast technical representative
August 13, 2026
Arett Sales appoints four to key Western sales roles
August 13, 2026
Monrovia announces 2026 Bee a Winner grand prize recipient
August 13, 2026
EHR expands sales team with three industry hires
August 12, 2026
BFG cancels Expos, prepares to file for Chapter 11
August 10, 2026
