Page 11 - Griffin Gazette Spring 2016

Birding has also made a comeback in Terrarium from Arcadia Garden Products flats? It started quite a while ago, with the
popularity, fueled by great new feeders Item# 80690615 development of new plant genetics.
for some of the smaller species of birds.
Manufacturers like Perky Pet and Classic watching and waiting for them to mature, Size Does Matter
Feeders have introduced new hummingbird stepped up their efforts to invest in bigger Many of the newest plant varieties offer
feeders to drive new sales opportunities plants. This was especially obvious with the large trusses of flowers, almost to the point
with bright, colorful, vintage styles. Paired largest baskets being the first to sell out at of eclipsing any sign of foliage; their beefy
with convenient, ready-to-use nectars, and retail. Many wholesalers depleted their supply habits are often bred with pot production in
some beneficial information on placement of larger, more mature baskets and combos mind. Consumers see the difference and the
and feeder cleanliness, this growth area can early on. The public knows a good thing when trend continues to grow. Look at the newest
draw new hobbyists to your store. they see it, and they showed a willingness to offerings in basket sizes for growers, which
spend a bit more for instant appeal. are increasing in both width and depth from
Small finch is another unique growth area, Think back to the introductions of Proven the most popular 12" size to 14", 16" and
with newer feed choices developed to Winners and Wave petunias. When did beyond. Manufacturers like Panacea have
eliminate shell husks and provide a small and the sale of larger pots eclipse the sales of introduced more styles of larger containers
cleaner food. Lyric Fine Tunes is one such and baskets than previous years. Likewise,
example. Nyjer (thistle) seed feeders are a African violets; shepherd hooks must become thicker in
category of their own for consumers who image courtesy of Holtkamp Greenhouses diameter to support the extra weight.
want to attract goldfinches and songbirds to
their homes. Are you giving your customers Getting the jump on consumer trends and
a large selection of options? Does your staff increasing profits is what independent
know the differences in feeder specifications retailers do best. We initiate and validate
including perch size, ports, type of seed and many products and plant varieties before the
accessories available? Is your store retail- box stores do.
ready with good signage to communicate
what’s available and each product’s If it’s been a while since you revamped your
benefits? If you gave up this category to the displays of new products, or even revived an
discounters 10 years ago, it may time to re- old category for a new audience, consider
invest energy and space to try again. Big it as an area to develop this year. The word
boxes often feature only a handful of items “NEW” is powerful; increased sales and
from predictable vendors; you’re able to offer profits on any product or plant may start
consumers so much more! with the simple addition of this magic little
word… NEW!
Weather Changing Trends
As we get older, each winter seems colder
and longer than the one before. Two years
ago, a new trend emerged that caught many
of us by surprise: The longer-than-usual
winter weather combined with wetter-than-
normal spring showers in 2014 delayed the
start of the spring selling season.

This past year’s weather certainly put a
stamp on this emerging trend. The
Northeastern snow cover lasted into April
2015, forcing many garden centers to order
more in-bloom flowers from wholesale
suppliers to supplement their own weather-
delayed production. Wholesalers in the
Mid-Atlantic were shipping north in record
numbers very early!

A new retail pattern had begun. Consumers,
who’d normally choose smaller plants,