GREEN GOODS Top Recommendations for Shoulder-Season Sales Merchandising tips and plant classes that can help your garden center capture essential off-peak sales. T he power of plants is still a driving force in today's consumer market - people just can't get enough! The key for retailers, however, is to build on those initial spring fever sales, inspire them though the peak season, and bring them back in summer and fall. In short, capturing shoulder-season sales is essential for success in today's garden centers. Here are a few practical display tips that can help draw in shoppers right off the bat: * Use bright and bold seasonal colors merchandised in the front of the garden center, such as yellows in spring and reds in summer, to kick off sales and pull customers into the store as they see new options from the parking lot. * Offer large combo planters and hanging baskets filled with seasonal décor to make early- and late-season decorating easier for customers looking to spruce up a patio or balcony. Beyond swapping up your storefront to entice new business as the months roll on, there are several plant classes that herald each new season, as well as give shoppers more chances to easily freshen up their outdoor spaces. Here are a few of my favorite go-to classes across multiple seasons of sales. By Steven Engel The Kitchen Minis collection is great for offseason vegetable gardening. Photos courtesy of PanAmerican Seed. 38 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | APRIL 2024