Kurt Fromherz is a regular contributor to Today's Garden Center

As a regular contributor to Meister Publication's Today's Garden Center we have accumulated dozens of articles focused on marketing and merchandising issues for independently owned garden centers, and the suppliers who support them. Following is a listing, by date, of articles dating back to the first issue of TGC.

2010 January - This past summer good friends of ours invited my wife and I to join them for ‘hot’ yoga. Yoga? Not just any Yoga, but Bikram Yoga. Well, they were insistent and we were curious. They explained it was a 90 minute session in a room heated to 105 degrees. OK. They said it was more than a workout and it wasn’t so much about sculpting your abs as it was finding balance. It was about making a decision to life ‘well’. Complete article >

2009 December - The opportunity represented by a Yelp, Google, or Yahoo review is not just the customers who know (and love) you, but the people that are connected by friends – and friends of friends, etc. Complete article >

2009 November - The only thing worse than hearing from an unhappy customer, is when you don’t hear from an unhappy customer. While everyone knows that customer satisfaction is job one, for many it is only natural to cringe at the thought of confrontation with an angry customer. Complete article >

2009 October - I just saved $25 using my phone! Recently I went shopping for a digital video camera. I researched it online, checked the review, shopper’s comments and found the model I liked. I could have bought it online, but I was too excited to wait Complete article >

2009 September - Improving on a good thing… The great thing about our green industry is our willingness to share ideas, promotions that have worked, and some that haven’t. It is even better when someone takes a winning strategy and makes it better. Complete article >

2009 August - Now is a good time (regardless of when you read this) to improve your website. More garden center retailers are coming to understand that a good website is an essential part of an effective marketing mix. Notice I said a ‘good’ website. I would define a good website as one that is current, engaging, and relevant. So in an effort to put together a ‘super seven’ list a good place to start is…Complete article >

2009 July - The first thing I do when clients debate the merits of store signage is to ask them to do the ‘360 test’. It is a simple way to test how well you and your business are promoted at the store level through signage. Stand anywhere in your store, nursery yard, - even your parking lot ... Complete article >

2009 June - Statistically we’ve found that 48% to 62% of the total sales for the year happen around the six week window around Mother’s Day. That’s a short window to make hay. This year if the weather doesn’t kill you then the economy, or news about the economy, surely will. Complete article >

2009 May - The growth in gardening, particularly vegetable gardening, has sprung up just in time for spring. No surprise there, but business is booming from a variety of somewhat unlikely sources. Some may be very familiar; some might be new to your garden center. Complete article >

2009 April - For many retailers just now navigating their way through e-marketing it can be as daunting as Dorothy’s fear of lions, tigers and bears; it’s completely justified, but after closer review your greatest fear might just become your greatest asset. Complete article >

2009 March - A 'Pep' Talk - Is there better work to have than to inspire others to create a more beautiful home, garden or life? How many people would gladly swap their 9 – 5 office job with the time you spend in the greenhouse. Complete article >

2009 February - I want to share a story with you. This past holiday season my wife Ann and I received a holiday card from our realtor Molly Abend. Nothing out of the ordinary there, and while the card was nice the accompanying letter is what really got my attention. Complete article >

2009 January - A community serves many functions. It brings people together in a shared interest, provides support for individuals from the strength of the whole... Complete article >

2008 Archive >

2007 Archive >

2006 Archive >

2005 Archive >

2004 Archive >