Re: Flat Plant Sales

**"* C* <d*@sympatico.ca>**

Thanks for bringing this up Doreen.
I'm with Gene. Our product mix has changed. The size of plants offered has 
changed. Some of our suppliers have changed- especially those who didn't 
want to change with us.
In spite of the big box stores ( who provide us with the opportunity to 
really show folks how good we are) and asphalt gardeners, we're doing very 
well- in dollars and in market share.
Knowledge and service is as important as product these days and we work hard 
at staying up-to-date and discerning which services are really needed.
As a result, our plant sales ( and all other sales) are certainly not flat. 
As a note of interest, plants aside, high end hardgoods (statuary, 
fountains, arbours etc) are becoming a significant part of our product mix. 
As long as it is top quality.

It would be interesting to know where and how that survey was taken.

Dan

btw, I'm not against the big box stores, nor do I have any axe to grind with 
them. They are legitimate competition and some, 2 in our area, provide an 
excellent product at good prices.

From: "Gene Bush"

 Many of the garden centers are no longer much different than the
> big boxes, just charge more.
>    I attended a Master Gardener meeting last evening.... that would not
> follow the researchers predictions. There are different levels of 
> economics
> and cultures in this big country. I don't think the researchers are 
> reaching
> the "real" gardeners.

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