Management
The experience is the product
Garden Center Show speaker Jeff O'Brien shares how your store layout isn’t just about where your products go; it’s about how your customers feel. In a time when big-box stores dominate on price and convenience,... more »
Beyond the brick and mortar — two years later
Two years ago, I was invited to write an article about the growing trend of independent garden centers looking to increase their revenue and relevance within the convenience economy space of e-commerce. I am a... more »
Managing with a leadership mentality
In all my many years in retail and then in my consultancy, I thought I had experienced just about all the highs and lows of the economy, politics and social impacts affecting businesses and our... more »
Registration now open for 2025 Garden Center Show and Retail Tour
Registration is now open for the 2025 Garden Center Show, taking place Aug. 12 to 13 in Rosemont (Chicago), Illinois. The event kicks off with a pre-show garden center tour on Aug. 11 for an extra fee.... more »
Change of plans
You’ve been there before. You’ve studied the past season’s wins and losses, the successes, failures and missed opportunities, studied the marketplace, analyzed the competition and your customer behavior predictions, read all the economic forecasts and... more »
Cart considerations
While many garden centers have beer boxes, 1020 trays or pull-behind wagons, these shopping tools can limit their sales potential — when customers run out of space, they stop shopping. Let’s look at how we... more »
It’s a numbers game: The data behind staff retention
Years ago, a client stated, “if you torture the numbers long enough, they will confess to anything.” After the statement echoed in my brain for a moment or two, I smiled — because it is... more »
The many layers of sustainability
Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, according to the UN World Commission on Environment and Development (1987). It... more »Innovative Ideas: Seasonal hiring solutions
Employee shortage is typically a struggle with any business — and even more so in the seasonal landscape industry, with intense physical working conditions through inclement weather. Since 1990, as the founder of Broccolo Garden... more »
Top 10 Garden Retail Articles of 2024
We ran the numbers and here are the results: Following is a list of the top 10 garden retail feature articles that received the most clicks from visitors to the Lawn & Garden Retailer website... more »
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 »
Videos
News
February 12, 2026
NGB reports 550% surge in media reach for 2026 “Year of the” program
February 12, 2026
NRF: January 2026 retail sales grew moderately
February 11, 2026
Registration now open for 2026 PPA National Symposium
February 10, 2026
Peace Tree Farm fig named Best New Novelty at IPM Essen
February 10, 2026
Submissions now open for Innovator Awards
February 10, 2026
Monrovia’s Bee a Winner program enrollment deadline approaching
February 10, 2026
Maryland’s horticulture industry grows to $1.76B
February 10, 2026
