September/October 2023 - 40

POHMER ON...
Now is the time to build closer
relationships with your lenders.
Remember that cash flow is king to banks when they
consider lending, especially to small businesses.
The federal government deferred college debt
payments for three years, and folks with college debt
either spent the deferred payments on purchasing
homes, travel or cars, or they put it into savings, many
of them anticipating permanent debt relief under
President Biden's proposed debt cancellation plan. With
that cancellation program found unconstitutional by
the Supreme Court, payments will reportedly begin
again in October. It's estimated that these renewed debt
payments will equate to a 5% wage reduction for those
borrowers. And remember that this will be an ongoing
hit on discretionary spending with almost 44 million
borrowers owing $1.6 trillion in college debt.
Scientists say that the extreme weather conditions
we've experienced in 2023 aren't one-offs; these trends
will likely become more frequent and severe. While
we can't control the weather, we can learn to better
adapt to it, protecting our inventories and educating
consumers on what they can do to protect their
investments in our products.
2024 is not only chock full of challenges but also filled
with opportunities. I believe in local retailers; they know
their market and customer base intimately, are quick
to adapt to change, can anticipate trends and sense
opportunities faster than their competitors. Also, they
can build productive relationships with their lenders,
customers and suppliers. Understanding your strengths is
one of the keys to your success in 2024!
There's no magic formula for planning or decision-making;
each one of you has your own unique style and knows best
what works for you.
But I leave you with one of my all-time favorite quotes
by William Arthur Ward that has guided me through
my business career: " The pessimist complains about
the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist
adjusts the sails. "
Are you sailing into headwinds or being pushed
forward by tailwinds? It's your choice.
Stan Pohmer is president of Pohmer Consulting Group in
Minnetonka, Minnesota. He can be reached at spohmer@
pohmer-consulting.com or 612.605.8799.
PRESENTED BY
2023
The Guide is your yearround
comprehensive
resource featuring hundreds
of must-stock products.
Collect countless ideas and
inspiration in 20 categories
to give customers what they
want - and help boost your
business.
Scan Me
Visit giftshopmag.com/TheGuide to view and download.
40 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023
THE YEAR-ROUND RESOURCE FOR TRENDING PRODUCTS PRESENTED BY GIFT SHOP® PLUS AND STATIONERY TRENDS
2023
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September/October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September/October 2023

Editor's Letter
Table of Contents
Headlines/Calendar
Editors' Picks
Marketing: How to Engage with New and Returning Customers
From the Road: Taking Third Place
Green Goods: A Perennial Focus
Marketing: 10 Tips to Maximize Your Email Marketing
Pohmer On ...: Headwinds or Tailwinds as 2024 Approaches
Visual Purchasing Guide
Ad Index
5 Minutes With ...: Hannah Brookfield
September/October 2023 - 1
September/October 2023 - 2
September/October 2023 - 3
September/October 2023 - Editor's Letter
September/October 2023 - 5
September/October 2023 - Table of Contents
September/October 2023 - 7
September/October 2023 - Headlines/Calendar
September/October 2023 - 9
September/October 2023 - 10
September/October 2023 - 11
September/October 2023 - Editors' Picks
September/October 2023 - 13
September/October 2023 - Marketing: How to Engage with New and Returning Customers
September/October 2023 - 15
September/October 2023 - 16
September/October 2023 - 17
September/October 2023 - From the Road: Taking Third Place
September/October 2023 - 19
September/October 2023 - 20
September/October 2023 - 21
September/October 2023 - 22
September/October 2023 - 23
September/October 2023 - 24
September/October 2023 - 25
September/October 2023 - 26
September/October 2023 - 27
September/October 2023 - Green Goods: A Perennial Focus
September/October 2023 - 29
September/October 2023 - 30
September/October 2023 - 31
September/October 2023 - Marketing: 10 Tips to Maximize Your Email Marketing
September/October 2023 - 33
September/October 2023 - 34
September/October 2023 - 34A
September/October 2023 - 34B
September/October 2023 - 34C
September/October 2023 - 34D
September/October 2023 - 35
September/October 2023 - Pohmer On ...: Headwinds or Tailwinds as 2024 Approaches
September/October 2023 - 37
September/October 2023 - 38
September/October 2023 - 39
September/October 2023 - 40
September/October 2023 - 41
September/October 2023 - Visual Purchasing Guide
September/October 2023 - 43
September/October 2023 - 44
September/October 2023 - 45
September/October 2023 - 46
September/October 2023 - 47
September/October 2023 - 48
September/October 2023 - 49
September/October 2023 - 50
September/October 2023 - 51
September/October 2023 - 52
September/October 2023 - 53
September/October 2023 - 54
September/October 2023 - 55
September/October 2023 - 56
September/October 2023 - 57
September/October 2023 - 58
September/October 2023 - 59
September/October 2023 - 60
September/October 2023 - 61
September/October 2023 - 62
September/October 2023 - 63
September/October 2023 - Ad Index
September/October 2023 - 65
September/October 2023 - 5 Minutes With ...: Hannah Brookfield
September/October 2023 - 67
September/October 2023 - 68
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/thriveguide-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/november-december-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/september-october-2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/march-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/february-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/january-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/thriveguide-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/november-december-2020
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/february-2020
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/november-december-2019
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/april-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/march-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/LGR/february-2019
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