CNLA Newsbrief
Newsbrief sponsored by :
July-August 2009
CNLA July-August 2009
Green Industry News!
Vol. 18 Issue 6
Growing trends in your retail garden centre business
There is still room for optimism in the retail garden centre industry, although consumers are tightening their belts on spending and the news speaks of cutbacks and financial troubles. Recognizing your customers’ concerns, wants and interests in trends will give your garden centre the opportunity to reach for success. “Certainly every garden centre across Canada is different and has different issues, customers and competition to contend with,” says Adrian Van Dongen of Van Dongen Nurseries in Ontario. Retailers need to understand that their customers are looking to create their own backyard escapes while they forego expensive vacations. It is important for the retailer to help create an atmosphere that encourages the customer to want the same “look” at home, then help that customer achieve their dream backyard by offering all of those elements at the garden centre. Brian Minter, president of Minter Gardens in Vancouver says, “Our marketing needs to be more effective and targeted, our team needs to be well-trained and professional and our stores need to look fabulous in order to provide a great experience.” Don’t forget to include creative ideas for children’s play areas in those landscaped yards, and suggest plants that will attract nature and stimulate an interest in gardening at a young age. Customers are willing to invest in their homes during difficult finan-
Look Inside: • • •
Safety on the job Arbor Day in Newfoundland & Labrador New Brunswick joins ban on pesticides
• • •
cial times and raise their property value by an estimated 5-10%; garden centre retailers just need to help encourage that investment by offering new and unique products. Bob Tuckey from The Natural Gardener in Vancouver, B.C., described the rollercoaster ride his business has been on. “I had the worst winter and early spring ever. Sales were down over 25%. It was a difficult time as you can imagine, says Tuckey. “Then at the beginning of the 2nd week in April everything changed. Yes, it happened that fast. One day the sales were still lousy and the next they were excellent. Sales steadily increased in April so that for the month sales were up 10% over 2008. Then May exploded,” explained Tuckey. “I have never been so busy. It was wonderful. For the month of May my sales were up 50% over last year. June settled back down and sales were only up 8% over 2008. July has been about the same as last year.” Ontario garden centres haven’t experienced the same explosion in sales as B.C. “Our garden centre runs along with our nursery operations, residential landscape, bulk goods department, and large tree planting division,” says Adrian Van Dongen. “We would love to see a 20 per cent increase in sales as some B.C. retailers have experienced, since we have had two exceptional growing years with great weather, and some rain just when it was needed. Our farms are full of great stock
National Plastic Recycling Program Water ban in Newfoundland EAB movement restrictions
• • •
Help in preparing for CHT testing Success at Skills Canada Beautiful Blooms at World Rose Festival
Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes
7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: info@canadanursery.com | www.canadanursery.com
1