Page 5 - Griffin Gazette - March 2026

Grow customer

loyalty and

revenue in four

easy steps!

By Hannah Sadosky, Retail Education Manager
Did you know hosting workshops at your garden center STEP 3: Create an Engaging, Hands-On Workshop
is a business strategy for increasing sales? Let’s look at When carving out your workshop, be sure to choose
how to execute workshops that push profits and drive the right instructor. The right instructor has not only
overall revenue. expertise, but enthusiasm! This increases the likelihood
that attendees will purchase the supplies used during
STEP 1: Choose a Workshop Topic That Sells the workshop and come back to attend workshops in
It’s important to keep in mind that it's not just about the future. Seal the workshop experience with hands-
choosing an idea—there's a strategic science behind on activities that leave them with a finished project—like
workshops to ensure success. Container gardening a container garden!
workshops are among the easiest to execute and
directly connect to your business. These workshops STEP 4: Promote Smartly and Price with Purpose
are appealing to both new and experienced gardeners.
Market your workshop through social media and in
store; price it to cover costs while remaining attractive.
For example, an Herb Planter Workshop where
Offering free workshops may sound like a great idea,
participants can pick, plant and take home their own
however, you may consider charging a small fee. Even
herb garden. During the workshop, attendees can learn
charging $5 helps to hold consumers accountable.
about different herbs, discover how to infuse them into
Some garden centers offer prepaying to reserve their
different meals or refreshing drinks, then plant their
spot by simply calling into the store; this increases
own herb planter to take home. By learning about
the likelihood of both customer attendance and a
your extensive herb and plant selection, customers
profitable workshop. Other ideas to increase revenue
build confidence through a learning experience. They’ll
from workshops is offering exclusive discounts to
then look to your garden center for the best selection.
attendees on products to encourage immediate sales.
That’s why when your workshop theme aligns with your
Many garden centers encourage attendees to return by
business, you set the stage for profitability.
offering coupons for future use.
STEP 2: Build Sales Into the Experience
THE BOTTOM LINE
When deciding on a workshop theme, establish clear
Well-executed workshops can significantly boost your
goals for your workshop. What other products in store
garden center’s profit margins. Focus on topics that
can you showcase and upsell? You may choose to
promote your products, create engaging experiences,
demonstrate planting techniques and recommend
and turn attendees into loyal customers for sustained
gloves, specific soils, tools, or plants available in-store.
growth. It's essential that the workshop you develop
This reinforces that your garden center is a trusted
aligns with your garden center’s business goals and
resource, especially when showcasing the extensive
showcases your extensive range of product offerings.
selection of high-quality plants, products and new
Emphasize your garden center’s value and variety—
varieties that surpass what’s available at box stores.
make sure customers understand that you are the go-
Focus on workshops that promote your high-margin
to resource for the best plants and gardening supplies.
products, such as container gardening with premium
containers or organic fertilizers. Plan and align
discussion topics with items you want to sell more of.
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