Marketplace news

America in Bloom partners with Joe Lamp’l and “Growing A Greener World”
As America in Bloom’s judges visit American cities this summer, they will also be scouting for potential filming locations for the 2012 season of the award-winning TV show, “Growing A Greener World.” Locations must meet the television program’s mission of telling the story of people, places, and organizations that make a difference in this world through gardening.

The show’s host, Joe Lamp’l, remarked, “I am very excited to have AIB’s keen sense of discernment as they travel the country seeking the best of what America has to offer. They already understand that great gardens can build a rich community. We look forward to seeing what they discover for us as well as for the America in Bloom organization.”


Nurserymen’s Exchange files for bankruptcy
Nurserymen’s Exchange in Half Moon Bay, Calif., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Mercury News reports that the family-owned company intends to remain in operation, but is restructuring, according to company CEO Jack Pearlstein. The newspaper said the wholesale indoor pot plant grower will sell its operations to an investor in the next 60 days. An additional 28 acres of excess, developable land will also be sold for $8 million.


Gardens Alive acquires Iseli Nursery, Weeks Roses
Gardens Alive, Lawrenceburg, Ind., recently announced its purchase of Iseli Nursery and Weeks Roses, according to TippNews Daily. Iseli Nursery, located in Boring, Ore., has been in business since 1975. Iseli is North America’s premier wholesale provider of unique conifers and Japanese maples. Iseli will operate as a standalone wholesale business as well as provide Gardens Alive’s mail order brands with additional product offerings. Weeks Roses, located in Wasco, Calif., is one of the country’s leading wholesale rose growers since 1938. In addition to its rose lines, Weeks also offers fruit and ornamental trees.


Landscaping is No. 1 project for U.S. homeowners
Almost 50 million U.S. home owners (29 percent) are taking on landscaping projects, according to Scarborough Research, a consumer and media research firm. Landscaping is the top home improvement category followed by interior painting/wallpaper (28 percent) and carpeting/floor covering (14 percent). The stores at which consumers shopped the most during for home improvement products were Home Depot (51 percent), Lowe’s (47 percent), Walmart (31 percent) and Ace Hardware (23 percent).

Consumer Reports Survey: Two in three consumers have walked out of a store because of poor customer service
Just how frustrated are Americans with the state of customer service? According to a new Consumer Reports’ survey, 65 percent are “tremendously annoyed” by rude salespeople, and 64 percent of respondents said that they had left a store in the previous 12 months because of poor service. This survey is part of a larger investigation on customer service featured in the July issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReports.org. The report names Walmart among the worst in customer service for its retail service in eight out of 21 industries evaluated.


Three leading hort brands ‘team up’
Bailey Nurseries, The Conard-Pyle Co., and Plant Development Services Inc. have formed a brand coalition to enhance communication with growers, collaborate on marketing ideas and reduce material costs.

“We are working together on manufacturing input costs, like containers and tags, which account for a large part of our growers’ input costs,” said Steven Hutton, president of Conard-Pyle. “Marketing ideas are also being looked at, from media production and placement to a joint booth at the IGC show in Chicago this summer.”

In August, a by-invitation-only meeting with growers will feature The Knock Out Family of Roses, The Endless Summer Collection and Encore Azaleas. Each brand will present its latest marketing programs and strategies, and future plant introductions to a network of over 50 growers across North America.

“The meeting is the ideal way for busy nursery owners, managers and marketing personnel to hear the latest, greatest things happening with all three brands,” said Patrick Bailey of Bailey Nurseries. “This is a unique opportunity to maximize sales and ensure you are up-to-speed in one easy trip.”

Garden Center earns several awards for outstanding content
Garden Center magazine was recently recognized by three press organizations—The Cleveland Press Club, the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association, and American Society for Business Publication Editors—for outstanding content.

“It’s always a thrill when outside organizations cite our work for awards,” said Yale Youngblood, publisher and editor of Garden Center. “That’s not why we do this, for sure. Still, we are honored that Garden Center as a whole and our designer Karen Angus in particular have been recognized for a job well done ... actually, several jobs well done.”

Cleveland Press Club awards
1st Place: Print Visuals: Covers, Trade and Professional Publications; Karen Angus; Let the Good Times Roll, January 2010
1st Place: Print Visuals: Single Page, Magazines; Karen Angus; Holistic Fountains, February 2010
2nd Place: Print Visuals: Infographics, All other Publications; Karen Angus; Who’s Your Customer?, March 2010

Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association
2011 Gardner Award: Design-Publishing
Karen Angus/GIE Media, “The Tao of Merchandising,” April 2010
2011 Design Awards – Publishing
1st Place: Printed Magazines: Cover Page Design, Karen Angus/GIE Media, “Ultimate Survival Guide,” March 2010
1st Place: Printed Magazines: Two-Plus Page Design/Editorial, Karen Angus/GIE Media, “The Tao of Merchandising,” April 2010

American Society of Business Publication Editors
Azbee Finalist—Central Region: Regular Column, Staff Written, Yale Youngblood, Editor’s Note

2011 Farwest show announces special features for garden centers and retailers
The 2011 Farwest Show, scheduled for Aug. 25-27 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore., will offer a variety of special features geared to garden centers. The “Garden Center Pavilion” is a destination designed for retail buyers. The pavilion also offers short workshops on merchandising tips, including talks by noted retail consultants Linda Cahan and Ian Baldwin—contributing editor to Garden Center magazine. The New Varieties Showcase will be set up like a garden center this year and will feature trees, shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses, groundcovers and annuals—all new to the market for 2011/2012. A dynamic retail seminar track, sponsored by Ball Horticulture, is also planned. For more information about the 2011 Farwest Show seminar schedule, nursery tours, expo hours and other features, visit www.farwestshow.com or call (503) 682-5089.