Merchandising

April 2017

What’s In Your Brand?

First impressions are everything. From a job interview, a first date, a meeting with a bank lender, to “Hello officer, was I speeding?” how one presents themselves in the first meeting sets the tone for... more »

April 2017

Exploring an Indoor Gardening Category

There are too many upward consumer trends to ignore. The political fallout from the past few months will probably leave many of us with our share of skepticism heading into the 2017 gardening season. However,... more »

March 2017

Out of This World

Buchanan's Native Plants Houston, Texas Wherever you looked at Buchanan’s a number of signs caught your eye. Signage clearly marked employees favorite varieties, labeled the plants that could benefit both your... more »

March 2017

French Fries with the Hummingbird Feeder

If I ever went through a fast food drive-thru, and the voice in the box failed to ask, “French fries with that sandwich?” I’d wonder, “Who trained this employee?” As spring approaches and consumers enter... more »

February 2017

Brewing Garden Center Success

Husband-and-wife team Amanda and Pat Weakland started their first horticulture adventure together with the opening of a mobile greenhouse in 1991. Their history in the industry, however, dates back before then. Pat is a third-generation... more »

January 2017

Think Bigger About Your Edibles

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, it’s clear that the state of the edibles market is exploding. And the demand for fresh, local food has further ignited this trend... more »

January 2017

Red, Green and Evergreen

Ellis Home & Garden Bossier City, Louisiana At this Ellis Home & Garden location, live trees were visible from the busy street with the “Ellis Tree Farm” set up in the parking lot. Each tree... more »

November/December 2016

Spotted in Portland

Portland Nursery Portland, Oregon 1) Portland Nursery plants and maintains the landscaping near the sidewalks of the garden center, which also acts as display gardens, while 2) a fountain at the center... more »

October 12, 2016

Nexus Corp. Acquired by Gibraltar Industries

Nexus Corp. has been acquired by Gibraltar Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of building products for industrial, infrastructure, residential and renewable energy and conservation markets. The all cash $25 million transaction closed on Oct. 11.... more »

September/October 2016

Back to Basics

Foot traffic may be strong, inventory may be right and customer reviews online shout out your store is stellar. Despite these strong attributes, however, sales don’t always add up to what you want them to... more »

September/October 2016

A Distinctive Story

Continuously asking yourself and your team where you want to take the business in the future can do a world of good. This exact question is what led owners Bud and Lisa LeFevre to make... more »

August 2016

Big Departments, Miniature Inventory

Behnke Nurseries Beltsville, Maryland Behnke Nurseries has its miniature gardening nook close to the entrance of the garden center. One-of-a-kind, yet very basic, shelving units are the perfect size for the various figurines. They make... more »