The Garden Center Group - Helping garden centers develop the business side of their business





01/03/11

Vol 17 No. 555

 

Based - on the numbers listed above, this weekly bit of communication some people call irrelevant while others deem it irreverent, is none the less about to begin its seventeenth year of publication, with this week's folly coming in at #555.

 

And yes, I do have a copy of all 555 issues hidden away in a secure location as proof of my willingness to say things I believe need to be said, even if it is focused on an industry that more times than not, isn't even listening.

 

But that's the difference between the "industry" and The Group. I've known all along that my approach to consulting wouldn't work for an industry... the real  '60's left too much of an impression on me when it comes to going along just to get along and dangerous mass-minded thinking.

 

But I also knew there would be a small group of people willing to look at the world of garden center retailing with open eyes and a willingness to explore. 

 

A few decades later I'm reminded each day that it doesn't require an entire industry to do great things... it only requires a few people to make a difference in how business gets done in new ways.

 

It's centers in The Group and the people helping us do great things that I care about... and they're the ones I hope are listening.

 

But even if you haven't been... there's 555 issues of the bottom line that made me think you were.

 

So... thanks.

Robert

____________________

 

If You Happen To Be - in the area... stop by and say hello.

 

MANTS - Wed., January 5

5:00 o'clock in room #337 Trade Show Review and a photo journey look at garden centers in Japan by Dave Williams and Holland with Bill Van Wilgen.

 

Please let us know if you will be attending MANTS by clicking here. 

 

Robert will be attending...

- Revolutionary 100

Jan. 12-14 in Atlanta, GA

And presenting at... 

- TPIE

Jan. 20 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 

- Wisconsin Garden Center Symposium

Jan. 27 in Waukesha, WI

  

Steve has workshop programs scheduled for...

- Green 'n Growin'

Jan. 12 in Greensboro, NC

- OSU Short Course

Jan. 26 in Columbus. OH

- ANLA Clinic

Jan. 27-29 in Louisville, KY

 

Sid will be presenting at...

- Oregon Retail and Greenhouse Chapter Day

Jan. 12 in Silverton, OR

- ANLA Clinic

Jan. 27-29

 

Lots of opportunities for Group centers to meet and discuss plans for 2011.

 




Get in Touch

robert@thegardencentergroup.com

 

www.thegardencentergroup.com


News Views & Reviews


There's A Reason - why I take great joy in making fun of all the yearly holiday sales prediction and result proclamations. It's because numbers don't mean squat unless you know exactly what they represent.

 

The National Retail Federation adjusted their number up each week as their original 3.3% increase proved to be wrong. MasterCard says retail sales were up 5.5% while only excluding auto sales while ShopperTrak anticipated a 4% increase but doesn't count gas or restaurants like Mastercard does.

 

So there you have it... nothing that matters.

 

Unlike the sales at your store which mean exactly what they represent along with the recent Group survey.

 

According to our survey results...

- 50% of centers had a better than expected Christmas season

- 32% just as expected

- 18% not as good as expected

 

As far as inventory goes...

- 61% said their ending inventory would be just about right

- 14% said too much stuff left unsold

- 25% had less than they expected

 

Best sales results were found in...

- porch pots, fresh greens and cut trees

All other product categories were reported as Average Results

 

When it comes to marketing Christmas...

- email newsletters lead the sleigh

- direct mail and Facebook followed second

 

Workshops remain popular for the season with 70% of reporting centers conducting one or more.

 

And as far as next Christmas goes...

- 60% plan to increase inventory/sales goals

- 33% plan to maintain current levels/goals

 

But numbers are never as helpful as words behind the action. There are several pages of great commentary available from the survey.

 

You can download the best by clicking here. 

 

I'll also leave the survey open for people that may have missed the opportunity. If that describes you, take the survey here. I'll tally the new responses and report any major changes that may occur in percentages.

 

 

 

 

A Little Bit About A Lot


In Case - one of your New Year  TwitterResolutions is to focus on Twitter in order to relieve your guilt of being the only person in the world not letting others know where you are at any given moment (which is how 25% of people use this indispensable tool), keep a few other numbers in perspective...

 

According to what Pew Research (no pun comment on the name) claims to be "the first-ever survey that exclusively examines Twitter users"...

- 74% of adults are internet users

- 2% of those use Twitter on a typical day

- 6% of Twitterheads are from homes with household income of $75K

- 41% check in less than every few weeks

- 21% never check in at all after signing up

 

Looks like we should focus more on those health resolutions we make but always have a difficult time keeping.

 

If You Want - 10 good questions for you and your staff to consider before too many plans get made for the new year, American Express has a great list that would help any company focus on what really matters and what sets them apart from all the rest.

 

You can download the PDF called "Brand Assessment" by going to their website.

Click here then scroll down to the blue bar titled "Project Re:Brand".

 

Thoughtful answers to the ten questions just might help clarify the story people need to hear about why they should be doing business with your center compared to all the other options.

 

Fill it out. Get me a completed copy.

 

Let's talk.

 

bottom line

 

 





3225 Sonia Trail, Ellicott City, MD 21043  •  www.thegardencentergroup.com  •  410.313.8067  •  fax: 410.313.8068