We have talked before about the trend of seeing Plants and the activity of Gardening being leveraged while promoting non-related products or services. This is Riding the Wave of the growing popularity of what your Center offers... every day. Here's another example...

I was standing in the checkout line last week at our neighborhood Publix grocery store. I glanced at the magazines on display as I waited my turn. One publication slapped me in the face instantly. The title:

It is a special edition by REAL SIMPLE, a Dotdash Meredith publication brand. They are one of the biggest digital and print publishers in North America. This special edition is a 98-page magazine (with NO ADS). And... it's $14.95 (US) - $17.99 (CAN).

You guessed it. I had to buy it.

On the cover are these words... Calming Benefits – Houseplants and Healing – Gardens that Thrive.

Inside, you see so many of the topics we have covered and discussed over the past few years. It's like the authors of each section are reading your play book, singing your song. They could also have had access to Dr. Charlie Hall's resource page on the benefits of plants. Here are a few of the section titles and introduction lines in The Power of Plants:

As I mentioned earlier REAL SIMPLE is a publication of Dotdash Meredith. Most of us know the Meredith name. Here are just some of the other publications they publish: Better Home & Gardens, Martha Stewart, Magnolia, Southern Living, People, Food & Wine, and many, many more. Here's a link for REAL SIMPLE and here's actually a FREE PDF I found to view The Power of Plants special publication (full publication copy).

When we see major companies and brands recognizing "The Power of Plants" and the trend of Plants and the activity of Gardening, this is more evidence of the plant and gardening movement. It also shows how much they want what you have. They want whatever they're selling to be accepted and valued just as much as Plants and Gardening are today... Green, Healthy, Organic, and all the other things we know about what you offer. Often times what they are selling is nothing even close to Plants and Gardening, but they use our products to draw the viewer's attention.

It is amazing as we watch broadcasts and see print/digital media and other programming how all types of brands are being promoted as they position their products or services around Plants, Gardening, or even Garden Center or Grower scenes. I encourage you to watch for this yourself.

Each time you see other unrelated products or services positioned around Plants, Gardening, and the activity of Gardening... they are Riding the Wave.

And it's Your Wave they are riding! And the truth is no one can tell the story of Plants and Gardening as well as you can. It's your story! Tell it!

Sharing is at the heart of The Group and your ideas are very important. If you have any trouble logging into The Group WebSystem, please let me know. Are you and your staff all subscribed to our eLists such as GroupEs, Retail-Grower, Retail-Landscape, Owners-Only, and a number of others including one for Marketing and even Tropicals? Need help subscribing? Let me know so I can show you how you can sign up.

Thanks for sharing!

Danny Summers

danny@thegardencentergroup.com

Tel: 678-909-7770, Cell: 678-761-7145

This full article is also available on The Group Blog: CLICK HERE!

Mark Your Calendar – GROUPtalk LIVE Monthly Online Programs

Next GROUPtalk LIVE - May 18th:

Join John Kennedy for the May GROUPtalk LIVE as he addresses the future of the Garden Retail industry—Talent Acquisition, Development and Retention.

There are two sides to every business. The People Side and the Process Side. Owners are often times good at managing the processes of a successful retail business, and would be wise to invest in leading the people into the future of the retail business enterprise.

These three key areas of opportunity (Acquisition, Development, and Retention) should always be in the forefront of every owner as they look to build the best team possible.

Each GROUPtalk LIVE session will be recorded and added to a resources page for viewing (re-viewing) anytime this year.

Group Centers can watch the recording of the January, February, March, and April sessions by logging into The Group WebSystem. You will see this image on the Member Landing Page and that will lead you to the special GROUPtalk LIVE Resource page for all of the 2023 sessions. It now includes:

JAN: Group 101 – Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most from The Group WebSystem

FEB: Operation – A Better Spring 2023

MAR: 2022 P&L Study Reveal

APR: Vision of Spring... Through Group Centers Sharing

One of the ideas shared during the April session was from Buchanan's Native Plants in Houston. Heather Buchanan said the idea of creating theme tables has helped drive sales. It is a flexible way to bring plants of similar function together, provides a simple message to the customer and acts as a silent salesperson. Here's a few photos Heather shared following the session.

A special Thank You to Buchanan's Native Plants for sharing details and everyone who participated in the April edition of the GROUPtalk LIVE Series!

In the coming weeks, watch for more GROUPtalk LIVE topics and the schedule.

Seeing and hearing what Buchanan's shared above of their plant "Theme Tables" brought to mind some ideas from Monrovia I first saw last year at Cultivate'22. In their booth they had assembled a series of "Theme Displays" as well, only in a different way. These are based on lifestyle trends. Last week, I asked Katie Tamony, Monrovia's Chief Marketing Officer, to share details with you. Katie said, "The display ideas came from own consumer research. We created design ideas for consumers and displays for garden centers. Use these easy plant guidelines to customize your own plant display to match the trends." Katie sent examples of the three that were introduced at Cultivate'22. Click in any image to download a PDF version.

You can download the three posters shown in the Trend groupings above HERE. Katie also reminded us of the many resources they have for retailers. You can find so much more HERE.

This past week, Darwin Perennials' Sales & Marketing Manager, Seth Reed, shared news of this year's Darwin Perennials Day at The Gardens at Ball Seed. If perennials is an important category for you (and they should be) and especially if you have never seen this event or the trial and display gardens at Ball Seed Headquarters, you need to be there... June 21st, 2023. Seth sent this message for you:

"First of all thanks for sharing this invitation with The Group. Below are a few important details and link to use. Our Press Release has not gone out yet for the event on June 21st – so we're giving The Group the inside story. We hope many of The Group's Centers can be with us!"

See HOT NEW varieties from the industry’s top breeders, including Darwin Perennials, Kieft Seed, Walters Gardens, Must Have Perennials and more.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 21, 2023 | 8am - 3pm

WHERE: The Gardens at Ball - 1017 Roosevelt Road, West Chicago, Illinois

ATTENDEES: You! Commercial perennial plant growers, nursery growers, retailers, landscapers, designers and media.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE: Hundreds of perennial varieties grown in display gardens, trial beds and containers. A New Variety Showcase featuring the best breeders in the world.

SEE THE PREVIEW VIDEO (simply click in video image above)

HOW TO REGISTER (and See the Full Schedule of Events):

Register HERE ONLINE or call 800-879-BALL

I hope you can join us for the Retailers' Choice Awards™ at Farwest'23, see details below and follow the link to signup. We have a special offer for FREE Show Badge for our Judges!

And finally, I know how hectic it is at this thyme of spring and appreciate you spending a few minutes here with us in GROUPtalk. I hope this and the following weeks are extremely successful for you!

Make it a great week!

Danny

We have two upcoming options for you to be the judge for our Retailers' Choice Awards™. Cultivate'23 in Columbus, OH on July 16th, and the Farwest'23 Show in Portland, OR on August 23rd. Here's the details:

Join us to participate in the Retailers' Choice Awards™ at Cultivate'23, Sunday, July 16th in Columbus, OH. Being a part of the new product selection team is a fun and productive way for you to find new products. We meet after the General Session on the first show day. You work the show floor at your own pace, and then we meet at the end of the day to compare notes. You get to see what everyone else discovered (and see them yourself the next day on the show floor). This can be a rewarding experience for your Garden Center!

Sign up and receive a special offer for participating... you will receive a special code to access Member Pricing and save $200 on All Access Registration ($20 savings on Expo Only). SIGN UP TODAY and help discover hot new products for 2024!

Join us for the upcoming Retailers' Choice Awards™ at Farwest'23, Wednesday, August 23rd in Portland, OR. Being a part of the new product selection team is a fun and productive way for you to find new products. We meet at 12 noon and you will receive your nomination form. Then work the show floor at your own pace, and meet at the end of the day to compare notes. You get to see what everyone else discovered (and see them yourself the next day on the show floor). This can be a rewarding experience for your Garden Center!

This a special Farwest as they celebrate the 50th Anniversary. Sign up and receive a special offer for participating... you will receive a special code to receive a FREE Show Badge. SIGN UP NOW and help discover hot new products for 2024!

Our Partners for Success recognize the unique nature of the independent garden center operation and are interested in developing methods that can help improve retailer/vendor relationships through open dialog, new product introductions and, when possible, special pricing for Group Clients. We encourage you to reach out to these "Partners" and "Harness the Power of The Group." Follow the links below for more information.

It is pretty easy to tell, we really like Constant Contact. It is the only email marketing system we have used for The Group since the beginning and there's good reason for that. It's the best! Now, our connection with Constant Contact is even closer with our partnership with Constant Contact to help Group Clients save 10 to 25%. Just see what you are paying now and check out the possible savings over the entire year.

Already a Constant Contact Customer? You can transfer your account under The Group's Partnership and SAVE! Ask Danny for details!

A special THANK You to all our Sponsors of The Fall Event 2023.

Unique to this event, Sponsors play an equal roll in all programs, meetings and discussion throughout the 4+ days. We succeed and exceed expectations because we collaborate and work together to build our industry and each individual business!

Be sure to visit each Sponsor's website by clicking on each logo below.

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