Marketing

February 2017

12 Months of Eco-Friendly Sales Goals

How many eco-conscious shoppers do you encounter in your garden center daily? This is still a hugely untapped market when talking about everyday sales encounters and should really be considered a viable business strategy, not... more »

February 2017

Using Scientific Research to Sell More Wild Bird Products

Over the past decade, numerous studies on the science of wild bird feeding have yielded results that can be used by independent retailers to sell consumers products that will attract more birds that consume more... more »

January 2017

American Made

Over the past few years, many surveys have shown Americans expressing an increased interest in buying American- made products. However, when it comes to everyday shopping or impulse purchases, the retail price on comparative products... more »

January 2017

Information When and Where Customers Want It

Shoppers have changed, and they’re never going back. Garden retailers are realizing this and wondering how, in this modern world, they’re ever going to catch up and connect with the new breed of consumers. The... more »

November/December 2016

7 Steps to Make Your IGC Pop

You specialize in gardens and know that success in growing healthy plants depends on fertilizing the garden to provide nutrients and enrich the soil to maximize the garden’s yield. So too, specialty garden centers and... more »

September/October 2016

On Four Wheels

Mobile businesses are here to stay, and they’re not only in urban environments. There were more than 4,000 food trucks throughout the U.S. in 2015 that brought in $1.2 billion, according to Mobile-Cuisine. I must... more »

August 18, 2016

Michigan City Embraces ‘Plant It Pink’ Program

To build awareness and show support for those affected by breast cancer the Haslett Beautification Association (HBA) in Haslett, Michigan, recently planted dozens of Proven Winners ColorChoice Invincibelle Spirit II hydrangeas as part of their... more »

June 21, 2016

NGB Chooses “Year of the” Crops for 2017

National Garden Bureau (NGB) has announced the four plant classes that will be featured in the 2017 “Year of the” program. For the bulb crop, 2017 will be the Year of the Daffodil. For annuals, 2017... more »

June 2016

A Natural Solution for BATtling Mosquitoes

In the garden center world you’ve all seen the trend toward “natural” pest solutions. With the recent new awareness of the risks of diseases that are carried by mosquitoes like the Zika virus, many consumers are... more »

April 4, 2016

Dramm Starts Variety Trivia

Beginning, April 15 at 10 a.m. CST, Dramm will be announcing garden variety trivia questions as part of the company's 75th Anniversary celebration. As part of the celebration, Dramm will be announcing gardening related trivia... more »

April 2016

10 Valuable Marketing Ideas

Your garden center may be doing some of the greatest things ever, but if you're not able to promote and sell your products, your efforts are in vain. I have a neat handout that I... more »

April 2016

The Power of Pink

Pink Days in Bloom, Newfoundland, Canada It's rare that we take a trip across the border, but Pink Days in Bloom has become a mainstay on the small Canadian island of Newfoundland, thanks to avid... more »