Pain points and bright spots for 2013

Pain points of 2013
When we asked you to name the biggest pain point of 2013, you overwhelmingly answered: the economy. Other responses included increasing competition from big box stores and too many products in the marketplace.

When choosing from weather, reaching the younger generation, finding new customers, government regulations, energy costs and labor issues, the weather is going to be the biggest factor when it comes to succeeding next year.

While nearly 30 percent of those polled reported a 1 to 9 percent sales increase in 2012, the weather was the biggest factor when it came to overall success. In 2012, more than 60 percent replied that weather was the defining factor, with 28 percent responding that it was the economy.
 

Bright spots of 2013
To combat the current state of the economy, it’s going to take some serious planning and inventory evaluation. There is a lot of excitement about edible and herb gardening, mini gardens and the new or unique. Garden centers owners gave us a wide range of potential bright spots for 2013 from giftware to organics to butterfly gardens.

Edibles were the hottest trend this year, with 50 percent of those polled saying that it was the biggest thing in the garden center this year. Many said that container gardening and family gardening, particularly edibles, would continue to be strong next year.
 

Fairy gardening really took off this year, whether it was pre-made gardens, kits or do-it-yourself designs. Miniature gardening in terrariums and indoor containers gained popularity as well, adding to the mini market, which respondents said would be large in 2013.
Edibles will continue to be a hot seller in 2013, along with herbs. Whether it’s a tomato plant, a berry bush or a container garden, customers are getting a real taste for growing their own food. Next year, expect this trend to stay strong, particularly for younger customers and those with families.
With more and more urban gardeners hitting the garden center, container gardening will stay in demand in the coming year. Container classes and seed mixes will be big, according to respondents, with edibles and lots of color in high demand.
Customers are in the market for something new and different, whether it’s a new variety, a color that really pops or an alternative form of growing like vertical gardening or small-space gardening. Respondents said that seeking out the new or the unusual will be a key strategy for next year.