Keep it REAL!

by Danny Summers

Last week many of us were at TPIE in Ft. Lauderdale. It was the largest TPIE ever with their newly expanded show floor and more booths - featuring many more amazing plants!

The General Session Keynote featured on Wednesday morning was Jill Hawkins, born in the UK and now living in Denmark. She says, "I'm a trends and human insight researcher and fashion psychologist, exploring the relationships between fashion, lifestyle, well-being and creativity."

Forest Bathing – A New Event in Your Center?

by Danny Summers

The term "Forest Bathing" might sound a little weird at first glance. Just the basic perception might conjure up an image of filling your bathtub with every green leaf you can find and soaking in it. But put any "that's weird" thoughts out of the way and let's explore further

Here in The Group, the first time Forest Bathing has been shared was this past May in the GROUPtalk LIVE session when Nicholas Staddon presented "What's Your Therapy." Nicholas covered a number of the benefits and activities of plants and nature in our lives. One of those he mentioned was Forest Bathing.

To Be a Gardener

by Danny Summers

Last week, I received an email from Dr. Allan Armitage, sharing news of his newest book, "The Common-Sense Gardener." Through the process of ordering a copy, I read some of the preface. I have to admit, as I read the words, I realized that Allan is absolutely right. Here's a sample...

Green with Envy

by Danny Summers

The word "Envy" is pretty simple to understand and it's something we are taught at an early age that we should not have. A quick search for a formal definition shows:

envy /ĕn′vē/

The Power of Plants!

by Danny Summers

I believe it can be difficult for us to fully understand the Power of Plants. Sure we can think about the importance of plants in producing oxygen for the planet, capturing contaminants out of the air, creating environments for countless living creatures, providing food and shelter for us and many, many more.

But this story began about two weeks ago when John Kennedy, Tim Quebedeaux, Tom Kegley, and I were at the Farwest Show in Portland, Oregon. It was Thursday afternoon, and all of our presentations were complete. Tim and I were discussing where to go for dinner (we were tired of the hotel options by now).

What's Your Therapy?

by Danny Summers

Four weeks ago... you were REALY BUSY! It was the first full week of May, and just 3 days away from Mother's Day. That's why I believe most of you have not seen what I am about to share.

It was on Thursday, May 8th and our May GROUPtalk LIVE session. Nicholas Staddon shared an important message titled "What's Your Therapy."

The Search for an Oasis

by Danny Summers

Everyone needs some form of an Oasis. It's a place to escape the day-to-day activities, routines, and stresses. For some, it may be exercise or sports. For others, it could be curling up with a good book. There are a number of ways to find or create an Oasis.

Years ago, an industry effort called The Garden Council had a number of program themes they promoted for everyone to use. They produced text and graphics, as well as some POP. This was well before any social media or internet options.

The True Value of What You Do

by Danny Summers

I know this is most likely one of the busiest weeks of the year for you as a Garden Retailer. You now have Mother's Day weekend behind you, and Centers are reporting Week 19 for WDR reporting this week. I am sure last week was a big week for you.

Something else very important happened last week. With it being such a busy week for you, I understand if you missed it. The May GROUPtalk LIVE Session was last Thursday, and Nicholas Staddon presented "What's Your Therapy?"

The Homegrown Advantage

by Danny Summers

With all the news today about imports, exports and tariffs, it becomes natural to think about what our Centers offer today. The great Trees, Shrubs, Perennials and Annuals you sell are certainly grown close to you or at the very least in the same region or country. Some of you are actually growing some of them in-house. There may be some imported components, whether it is peat or peat substitutes, bamboo stakes, etc., but the majority of what a customer takes home could be considered Homegrown.

Even our great non-plant suppliers, the majority of them produce their products domestically. Just take a look at what you have in your Center today and think about where it is being made. I'm confident the majority of what you see is Homegrown. OK, saying a non-plant item is Homegrown sounds somewhat strange, but you get the point.

Wellness = People + Plants

by Danny Summers

Our industry devotes a tremendous amount of effort to Plant Health (or Plant Wellness). Offering a healthy plant is at the core of what we do. If it is not healthy, it just doesn't sell.

What we don't spend much time on is the Wellness of People. Obviously, each of us is very concerned about our overall health and the health of everyone around us. But, there is a growing movement on a connection between the two, hence the subject today... Wellness = People + Plants.

America Needs a Break!

by Danny Summers

If you are subscribed to The Group's Marketing eList, you may have seen the message shared last Thursday by Tom Kegley, The Group's Brand Guru. Tom shared a review of this year's Super Bowl Ads, produced by Kantar, one of the world’s leading marketing data and analytics business and brand partners to the world’s top companies, including 96 of the world’s 100 biggest advertisers.

Singing Our Song!

by Danny Summers

If you have been part of The Group for very long, you have read my observations through recent years on how other brands and industries leverage what you have to gain attention to what they are offering. This approach shows either someone in their garden enjoying plants and flowers or even in a Garden Center setting, either as a retail customer or even a Garden Center owner or staff.

You can often see this in new medicine ads or business services. They show happy people in Garden settings.

Garden, Health or Nature Center?

by Danny Summers

Logically thinking, we identify our Garden Retail operations as Garden Centers. For instance, just look at our name for The Garden Center Group. Your actual business name may include Garden Center (more frequently today is the word Gardens), or certainly Nursery, Nurseries, or even Greenhouse is common.

But there are some important trends that suggest there may be something more...

When Does Spring Begin?

by Danny Summers

The answer to that question varies by who you ask, where their Garden Center is located, and of course... the weather!

For a technical answer, we can turn to the Old Farmers Almanac, which says the answer is:

A Nature Store?

by Danny Summers

Have you ever considered calling your Garden Center... A Nature Store?

I'm not suggesting changing your Center's name, but just in describing what you do, what you offer... A Nature Store.