Marketing
Pick of the Pack Trials
Even though the California Pack Trials were shortened from two weeks to 10 days, there are more plants to see, people to greet, questions to ask and snacks to eat than you can possibly do.... more »All-Season Container Gardening Department
Container gardening continues to be the most promising product for both profits and branding for the independent garden center. A classic marketing opportunity, container gardening can increase: the number of customers shopping in a garden... more »Green Goods: Bulbs…More than Just Spring
In the American Midwest, Northeast and areas with similar climates, the great majority of tulip, daffodil, crocus and hyacinth bulbs fill the months of April and May with glorious color and sweetness after our long,... more »Lawn & Garden Retailer Headlines
2005 Retail Forecast The National Retail Federation (NRF) recently revised its 2005 sales forecast based on the inclusion of new merchandise categories (food and beverage stores, building materials and garden equipment stores, health and personal... more »Sorting Through the Gifts
We've been to quite a few garden centers around the United States and Europe, and through those trips we've discovered that there are hundreds of product categories that can be considered gifts. Gift departments are... more »Dead armadillos…
Consumers can usually be relied on to "shop 'til they drop." This was one of the primary drivers of the economic recovery we saw in 2003-2004. In fact, the 7-percent surge in sales in 2004... more »Closed for Profit
Spring the sound of registers ringing, customers questioning and shopping carts rolling. And then there's fall and winter for some of you the same sounds can be heard, but for others of you,... more »ABC’s of Sign Making… the Digital Way
Most everyone would agree that an excellent way to increase your retail sales is by creating customer awareness through promotions and marketing. While many store owners have already developed extensive advertising programs, they often overlook... more »Exploit Your Differences
Home stores and mass merchants provide stiff competition for independent retailers in virtually all categories. The "boxes" have become experts at transaction selling, providing low-cost and convenient product solution, and processing hordes of customers. Now,... more »Adding a New Station
Back in high school, I worked at a neighborhood pharmacy afternoons and weekends. One of my responsibilities was keeping the vast display of greeting cards clean, neat and stocked. Thinking back on that experience, even... more »Building Birding Success
Niche, niche, niche are you sick of hearing that word yet? It seems like all we have been hearing lately is that you need a niche to stay in "competition" with the big boxes.... more »Who Are Your Einsteins?
I was recently working with a garden center owner on a strategic repositioning. Since it was his fiscal year end, he was in the process of giving annual performance reviews to employees, and he asked... more »
Videos
News
August 3, 2026
AFE welcomes new leadership and board appointments
July 29, 2026
The Plant Co. expands leafjoy distribution through EHR
July 28, 2026
NGB releases harvest guide for home gardeners
July 28, 2026
