Learn from the best

Many of us have mentors, or perhaps people or businesses that we look up to and learn from, both on a personal and professional level. Within the independent garden center industry, those who we look up to are often the ones who have found the way to maintain a thriving business no matter the economic or meteorological conditions that season.

This month, we’re featuring 50 of the top IGCs in a special commemorative poster (page 57), as well as awarding each of them a personalized plaque to honor their achievements. We also took the opportunity to delve deeper into the success of three IGCs on the list - Petitti Garden Centers, Chalet Nursery and Bucks Country Gardens - to find out what makes them different from the rest.

In order to carry out this project, the Garden Center staff contacted top retailers via email and phone to obtain updated information for our list. Garden centers are ranked by actual 2012 revenue. Those garden centers that declined to provide this information were omitted from the list. All data reported in this list was provided by the garden centers themselves and no estimations were made by us, as we felt that this would make for a more accurate report.

Congratulations and best wishes to all of our Top 50 winners!

But our new Top 50 IGCs list is just the tip of the iceberg - we’ve got even more great information and tips in this issue. If you’ve been looking to spruce up your store’s merchandising, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our merchandising guide starting on page 15. Curious about the trends for 2014? Garden Media Group gives the low-down on what retailers can expect next year on page 64. Columnist Barry Moltz shares his advice for combatting showrooming on page 69. Looking for new plants or products? Don’t miss the selection of new varieties in the New Plant Introductions section starting on page 37 and the latest Garden Center Products & Supplies guide starting on page 71.

As 2013 draws to a close, I would like to wish each of you a very happy holiday season and a prosperous new year, and as always, thanks for reading Garden Center.

Warmest holiday wishes,

kvarga@gie.net