May 2020 - 10

SPONSORED CONTENT
HEADLINES/CALENDAR
100% INDEPENDENT
GARDEN CENTERS SINCE 1955
UPFRONT
DIRECT FROM JEFF MOREY, IGC SHOW
FOUNDER & CEO
Let's Get Through This!
See You @ IGC - This August In Chicago!!
Ok, I'll call out the '800 lb. gorilla' in the room: COVID-19 . . . there, I've said it.
One more time . . . COVID-19!
There's no hiding from it. Shortly after we all celebrated in the new
decade with 2020, seemingly out of nowhere (ok, out of China), came this
very unwelcomed new year visitor. To many of us - both personally and as
businesspeople - it really seemed like a bad dream we hoped
we'd soon wake from! Well, no such luck. This health and
'economic' virus is very much a reality.
But wait, it might not be as 100% negative as you might
think. And yes, I know this is the worst ever, but ... let's look
back on other economic downturns and national emergencies
that America has endured. Often when folks can't go to Paris
on that much looked forward to summer vacation, they rediscover their
backyards! They often rediscover - or learn for the first time - the joys and stress
relief - and who doesn't need some stress relief!? - that come from growing their
own vegetables ... their own French Peas ... and what beautification arises from
planting their own flower beds and patio and front door containers!
Getting Your Store Open Again - at Least a Bit
Of course, with all the current restrictions - in force at the time of publication -
the challenge is to get your store's share of this business and not let the big
boxes walk away with all of it because they happen to sell other " essential "
goods! And hey, there's a pretty good case to be made for edible gardening
as being an essential! If you have been shut down by local or state regulations,
hopefully you have had or will have luck getting an exception.
Another 'ticket' we've heard of is playing up your pest control products on
your shelves. IGC Show's friends Bonide - with their Vector Control line - point
out that Mosquito killers, rat & mouse, roach and other public health pests are
key. Selling these kinds of product can trigger an exemption from mandatory
closures. Give our buddy Tom Feldmann at the company a call, (734) 255-3801,
he'll be of help ... he's a great guy.
It's our job as an industry to get out there - like never before - to remind folks
that the local garden center is their pal and their source for gardening goods in
this incredibly difficult time.
Appointment shopping. Free delivery. Order online or phone and curbside pick
up. It's all a means of survival.
A Time & Place for Industry Reboot
Plans are on full tilt for the 14th year of our Independent Garden Center Show -
IGC Show - August 11-13, in Chicago. Be sure to attend the ONLY event held
anywhere strictly for you! More than ever this industry will need a place
to come together and reboot. IGC Show is the perfect place.
See you there!
Circle 103
10 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | MAY 2020
Bridget Behe Provides
Tips for IGCs During
Coronavirus Pandemic
Bridget Behe, Ph.D., from the
Department of Horticulture at Michigan
State University shared marketing and
retailing strategies for garden center
retailers in a recent webinar.
In the webinar, " Garden Retail
Strategies to Sell in the Current
Environment, "
Behe said that
demand is
currently very
high for plants
and related
materials;
the challenge
garden centers are facing is how to get
product to customers - or how to retain
and reassure customers in states where
IGCs have been forced to close, including
her home state of Michigan.
For retailers who cannot sell plants
(even remotely), she suggests that they:
* Do what's legal - remain closed, but
remain in close contact with your
network, including customers and
trade associations.
* Do what's ethical - implement
social distancing rules, use " notouch "
sales methods like online
payments, etc.
* Do what is positive and helpful -
tailor your messaging (both online
and in-store) with positivity. For
closed stores, work toward changes
that will be necessary during the
pandemic of COVID-19, as these
changes will likely be a part of " the
new normal " in the future.
During this pandemic, Behe
emphasized that it is crucial for garden
centers to stay in touch with their
customer base. Even if you're closed,
continue to post messages on social
media, send out enewsletters and update
your website. " It's literally your lifeline
to your customers, " she said. She called
upon IGCs to share positive messaging
about gardening and its benefits to their
followers and customers.
Find an archive of the webinar at
https://mediaspace.msu.edu/media/+
Garden+Retail+Strategies+to+Sell+in+
the+Current+Environment/1_rk5bl4g4.
https://mediaspace.msu.edu/media/
May 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2020
