Management

June 2007
Battling The Big Boys: Rules Of Engagement For Independents

As another spring rush enters the books, how is your season looking? Whatever you are experiencing, chances are good that as an independent your season is being affected by mass market outlets in your area.... more »

June 2007
Listening (And Responding) To You

Reader comments can help keep columnists and their ideas based in the real world, and occasionally, columnists can help retailers stay rooted in reality, too. This month, I'm taking the time to address some interesting... more »

May 2007
Pohmer On…I’m Confused!

I admit it, I'm confused. (Most of you are shaking your heads because I actually publicly admitted infallibility, and the others are nodding, saying, "Yeah, we knew that already!") In all seriousness, I'm concerned and... more »

May 2007
Signage 101

Do you own a computer and a printer? If you said "yes," it's time to completely eliminate all hand-written retail signage. Hand-written signs might have been OK in the past, but just like avocado-colored refrigerators,... more »

May 2007
Consider A Return On Individuals

When most business people hear ROI, they think of return on investment. Today, let's talk about a new ROI: return on individuals. Focusing on individual results will yield the overall results you want from your... more »

May 2007
Is Your Store Technologically Advanced?

Customers don't know what technology you are using in your store, whether it is outdated, state of the art or expensive. Customers don't care about that. What they care about is receiving good service and... more »

May 2007
Raising The (Chocolate) Bar

There are many products that consumers don't deem necessities of life. Premium chocolates, like plants, tend to fall into this category. Certainly, everyone loves to get such products, but unless there's a special occasion or... more »

May 2007
Profitable Or Not: A Guide to Evaluating Garden Centers

Consumer expenditures for lawn and garden activities have experienced strong growth over the past 15 years and were estimated to be about $35 billion in 2005, according to the National Gardening Association. Others estimate even... more »

May 2007
Choose To Differentiate

As independent retailers, you know what it's like to be locked in a David-versus-Goliath-like battle with your big box competitors: They have the size and breadth while you have the expertise and customer service. But... more »

May 2007
Independents: Setting Themselves Apart

Retailing horticultural products has come a long way in a short time. Do you remember when you produced handwritten signage? Now we have educational, brand-oriented, vibrant, professionally made signs. Do you remember when we sold... more »

May 2007
Pohmer On: Alphabet Soup…Time to Go Back to School?

In Marketing 101, the basic tenets of marketing success are the Four P's: Product, Price, Place and Promotion. Product refers to the physical merchandise assortment, the breadth of what is offered to the consumer, the... more »

May 2007
Be A Lean, Money-Making Machine

This month I've invited a very smart guy to "guest host" the "Dollars and Sense" column. If you were one of the lucky few to hear Andy Rogish speak at last year's OFA Short Course,... more »