Garden Center web news and social media highlights from March 2018

Multimedia | Podcast

The foodscape revolution

Consumer horticulture and the hobby of foodscaping both have a tireless and enthusiastic advocate in Brie Arthur, garden industry communicator, vice president of horticulture for Gardenuity and author of “The Foodscape Revolution.” Nearly a year after the release of her book, Arthur recently came onto the Hort Report Podcast to share her thoughts on what retailers can do to better serve the many consumers looking to try their hand at foodscaping.

Listen here: bit.ly/2osayLl

What’s trending on Instagram

Consumer-oriented trade shows can provide a helpful look at what homeowners and garden center customers are looking for to complete their home projects. That’s why the Garden Center team visited the 2018 Great Big Home + Garden Show at the I-X Center in Cleveland on Feb. 7. While there, we noticed some truly outstanding plant displays from several vendors, including regional landscaping companies and Cleveland-based retailer Petitti Garden Centers. The 2018 event was based on a music theme, and as such, many displays were built around instruments and popular musicians like Frank Sinatra. A video of a Petitti Garden Centers display, featuring a piano that had been repurposed into a water feature, gathered hundreds of views and dozens of “likes” on Instagram.

Watch here: bit.ly/2HPIwl1

Your Turn

Each month, we ask readers a different question about their retail operations, inviting them to answer via email or social media. You can send your answers to associate editor Conner Howard at choward@gie.net.

This month’s question:
“Are you planning any spring events or open houses for your busy selling season? If so, what are they?”
Answers to this question will be published in a future issue of Garden Center.

5 stories in brief

Top industry news from our website

1. End of an era

After 25 years, horticultural trade show New England Grows is discontinuing operations.
bit.ly/2BThxnZ

2. Pike branches out

Atlanta-based Pike Nurseries announces plans for a new store in Milton, Ga., the first new Pike location in the Atlanta market since 2007.
bit.ly/2BXzpPy

3. Tips from the top

Eight habits of highly successful leaders, courtesy of Entrepreneur.com.
bit.ly/2oymCdj

4. New store, new market

Gardener’s Supply Co. management offers some details on the retailer’s newly-launched store in Lebanon, N.H.
bit.ly/2Ex7JCJ

5. Stepping down

Dale Bachman has announced his plans to retire as CEO of Bachman’s, Inc., but he will remain chairman of the board for the Minneapolis-based company.
bit.ly/2oyXKC2

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Star power

March 2018
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