Re: Lowes, etc.

We have not really done any comparitive shopping for anything other than  
plants, so can't speak for that.  Also can't speak for areas other than  zone 9+. 
 The Lowes, Home Depots, etc. around here are  not putting the landscape 
supply businesses (nurseries,  etc.) out of business.  First of all, although 
things have gotten  better, they don't carry the plants that will do well in these 
areas or the  diversity that the local nurseries carry.  Secondly, and most 
important,  the "box" stores' garden "season" is dictated by northern  home  
offices.  Their garden "season" starts much later than it should and  ends much 
sooner than it should.  By the time all the garden clubs,  societies, and 
MG's......as well as the nurseries, have their spring supplies in  and have their 
sales....then the box stores begin to bring in  merchandise.   Then in early 
fall/late summer (Aug/Sept) when the  societies, MG's and others have their 
fall sales again, and the nurseries are  pushing fall or winter plants and 
vegetables, the box stores have already shut  down all ordering for their garden 
centers, and are clearing things out for the  winter.  This is a constant problem 
for gardeners here that want the mulch  for the fall, the vegetables, 
plants,etc.  Dh used to be manager of  one of the box stores and had a constant 
struggle with home office about  this exact issue. The box stores are beginning to 
learn and are  keeping their mulch and other order numbers active longer, 
however, for the most  part they lose a lot of money by not having their garden 
season directed more  towards the area, rather than by home office.   So for 
now, mom and  pop nurseries, wholesale nurseries, soil and mulch places, as well 
as the MG's  and societies definitely will not be put out of business by the 
box stores  here.  There is no competition.
Noreen
zone 9
Texas Gulf Coast
 
In a message dated 7/20/2005 5:37:56 AM Central Standard Time,  
gardenchat-owner@hort.net writes:

Jim:  Congrats. on the good savings on your new plant. Just as an aside
though,  this is the problem with places like Lowe's and HD's that move
into  areas...they undercut prices and drive small business owners out  of
business. My husband works for a small carpet/vinyl store and they  were
furious when HD moved in for exactly this reason. Seems to be  these
mega-stores agenda. Might be good for the consumer, but bad for  small,
local business.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index