Mar 19, 2015
Let the Madness Begin By Tim Hodson

Are you ready for the madness?

I’m not talking about March Madness and the Big Dance of the NCAA basketball tournament that gets under way today I’m talking about spring in the greenhouse and garden center.

With the first day of spring arriving tomorrow, consumers will soon start heading outdoors and to the garden center, so the madness is about to begin. The Wicked Winter of 2014-15 is slowly disappearing in the rear view mirror and Mother Nature is showing that she is actually human and beginning to warm up, so it is Go Time!

Are you ready for it?

What are your predictions for 2015? What new things do you have planned for this spring? What are your customers telling you about this season? Is your team prepared for the madness?

Drop me a line at t hodson@greatamericanpublish.com and let me know what you think is going to happen in the coming weeks and months.

Tim

Lowe’s to Provide Makeovers for ‘Bleakest Cities’ of 2015

Now that spring is almost here, Lowe’s has announced plans to reinvigorate some of the most winter-ravaged cities in the country. Lowe’s Heroes, the company’s volunteer community improvement initiative, will visit the “10 Bleakest Cities of 2015” and help them complete makeover projects that have been neglected or delayed because of extreme winter conditions. Lowe’s Heroes will complete projects such as landscaping, creating outdoor rooms, painting and adding curb appeal throughout the spring season.

Wal-Mart Introduces ‘Women Owned’ Logo

Wal-Mart recently debuted a new “Women Owned” logo for retail packaging of products from women-owned businesses. The new logo was introduced in honor of Women’s History Month and emphasizes Wal-Mart’s commitment to empowering women around the world and helping women-owned businesses succeed and grow. Wal-Mart also launched www.Walmart.com/WomenOwned where the company can spotlight different products from these companies.

Home Depot Grows Online Sales

Online sales at the Home Depot were up more than $1 billion in 2014 a 36 percent increase over the previous year. Total online sales for the home improvement retailer in 2013 were $3.7 billion. While live goods really are not a component of Depot’s online sales, many items in the lawn and garden category are like premium grills and outdoor patio sets.