Merchandising

February 2011

Let Me Explain…

... what mannequin containers are and why they're an important part of our displays at A Proper Garden.The first time I'd ever heard the term "mannequin containers" in our industry was during a presentation given... more »

February 2011

Time For A Change? Who Says?

After recently tweaking their logos, mega chains Starbucks and Gap learned that their customers' input is a necessary part of the process. Do you agree?The barista asks me, "Grande Americano with room?" Yes, they know... more »

January 2011

Better When Bartered

Looking to give your garden center's layout a little extra oomph but don't have the extra cash to make renovations? Barter your space for some much needed improvements.Look around your garden center. It's nothing but... more »

January 2011

Turning Pests Into Profits

Increasingly, customers turn to the winning combination of Chalet Nursery's knowledgeable staff and its Plant Health Care Center to help diagnose and treat their plant ailments.There is nothing like the reaction of an amazed customer... more »

Getting Warmer

Getting Warmer

Think warm thoughts. Why? Because the Garden Centers of America (GCA) Holiday Tour in Minnesota is upon us, and depending on where you are in the country, warm spring weekends might feel light years away.... more »

Publishing Success

Publishing Success

Today, garden centers can easily collect and send targeted educational materials to a publisher to generate highly customized print or digital content.This past year saw significant changes in the publishing world. And while large bookstores... more »

Hope for the Holidays

Hope for the Holidays

The coming of cold weather doesn't have to mean the going of steady sales. Here are some ideas on how to transition your store from spring blooms and summer doldrums to fall harvest and winter... more »

July 2010

Park It!

Your garden center's parking lot is the first thing your prospective customers see when they drive up, so why should it be an afterthought for you?Famous last words from garden center owners:"We filled the parking... more »

Together vs. Separate

Together vs. Separate

When merchandising eco-friendly and more conventional products, how does your garden center go? Today's consumers have made "going green" part of their lifestyles, and considering their close relationship to the earth, sustainability is often of... more »

March 2010

Cover New Ground

Embracing the newest trends in breeding, branding and merchandising groundcovers can help improve long-term sales as customers turn to this eco-friendly, robust option for problem landscape areas.Groundcovers are rising in popularity as plants with eco-friendly... more »

February 2010

Just the Plants, Ma’am

Some garden centers try to be everything to every customer, with a variety of gifts, hard goods, tools and services. And for some garden centers, that works like a dream. But for Calloway's Nursery, it's... more »

Make a Big Splash in No Time

Make a Big Splash in No Time

Great merchandising doesn't mean reinventing the wheel every time you have a new product. With just a few solid pieces to act as a backbone for your displays, you can have movable, creative merchandising in... more »