Great Sales This Year, Why?
I talked to an industry insider yesterday and he asked me how this year has been. I told him that, so far, our sales are up 17% over last year which was our best year ever. He told me a large nursery chain in Houston was down 3-5 % in sales so far this year. I know Home Depot is down overall and I think Lowe's is down also. I talked to Donna Buchanan in early May and she said sales were very good. Terry from Growers Outlet, a retail garden center in Willis, told me he was up almost 30%. My brother's nursery might be up, could be down a little, he is not sure, he will let me know by Fall how he did thru May.
Last year I was told by nursery consultant and researcher, Kip Creel, that there was a consumer movement from no service plant sellers to garden centers that provide good service. His company surveyed tens of thousands of nursery shoppers and for the first time in 10 years more than 50% of those surveyed said they would shop at independent garden centers.
We have made some changes over the past year and it is hard to quantify each of their effects. We installed a new lighted sign with a LED message board. My daughter, Kelly, became manager last May and has made significant improvements. The new Vintage Center and HEB opened close to us. We are making great progress with organics, thanks to my daughter Sherri. Our new outdoor manager, Matt S, is making that part of the nursery irresistible to not take a stroll through. Randy Lemmon has done a fantastic job of singing our praises on the radio and getting buying customers in our store. Cody and Matt V are attentive and provide great sales help. Last and maybe least we have this brand new web site and this pioneering blog.
I want to ask new customers (in the last year) what brought you into our store and what you like and do not like about us? Please post a comment below. All comments are appreciated. Thank you for your participation.
I come into the store because of the knowledgeable employees and the superior selection of plant material and products.
Stuff like that really counts to me.
~Jason
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Thanks for the nice blog dad. This has been a great spring. You forgot one other person who does a tremendous job for us...Rosa. She has been our bedding maintenance girl for years now and she keeps getting better and better. From cleaning, organizing and watering she does it all and does it well. Thanks to her I don't have to worry about displays being beautiful or plants looking sad because she has got it all covered. Thanks Rosa you are fabulous.
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Don't forget about your best cashier ever...CAT! I would never come in there if it wasn't for her!
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I began shopping at your store last spring when we re-did our front beds, and I'll never go back to those other places! I had driven by many times on my way to HD but finally decided to stop in after seeing one of your coupon mailers. After I was there, I was astounded at the friendliness and knowledge of the staff (I think it was Sherri who pretty much took me by the hand and helped me choose every last shrub and plant for our beds!). Your selection is fantastic, the plants are gorgeous and healthy, and your prices are rather reasonable! I also love that I can find somewhat unusual plants at your store. My mother-in-law is a plant nut, and you're always sure to have a plant she's never heard of (she got a New Zealand Christmas Tree for Mother's Day!). Thanks so much to all of you. You make gardening bearable even in 100 degree heat.
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You know me, I like the edibles. If I provided you with a list of the vegetable seeds/plants I wanted, could you order them?
Plus, I'm a big fan of your Texas native perennials. My Red Rocket Russelia has doubled in size and number of blooms, and my butterfly bush has brought monarchs and great swallowtails into the yard. Speaking of which, I found a HUGE monarch caterpillar on my butterfly weed this morning. I'm planning on turning the old veggie beds into a beneficial insect/butterfly/hummingbird garden, so I'll be coming for those plants soon.
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Bring us a list and we will do our best.
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Like the other poster, my wife and I stopped in on our way to HD last winter. What a pure joy! Your staff _is_ attentive and knowledgeable and I am greatly impressed with the large selection of Organic products. I now no longer have to wait for mail order, I can just hop in the car and pick up product! Your store is amazing, keep up the great work!
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