Turn Sunshine Into Profits   Lawn & Garden Retailer April 2010   P. Allen Smith
Make your independent garden center the community authority on outdoor living with great selection, a trend-forward staff and a strong online identity.
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The Good News   Lawn & Garden Retailer January 2010   By P. Allen Smith
Extra, extra! Out with the old, in with the new: 2009 is over, and you have a fresh opportunity to keep current customers coming back and attract new shoppers for 2010. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
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Dare to Be Diverse   Lawn & Garden Retailer November 2009   By P. Allen Smith
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For the Birds?   Lawn & Garden Retailer August 2009   By P. Allen Smith
Q: I have customers coming in asking how to make their backyard a better place for birds, but I’m not sure where to start. Any suggestions?
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Spring Has Come and Gone — Now What?   Lawn & Garden Retailer July 2009   By P. Allen Smith
Q Spring was a smashing success, but I always hit a lull in the hottest months. How can I begin transitioning customers into past-prime seasons?
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Food for Thought   Lawn & Garden Retailer June 2009   By P. Allen Smith
Q: How can I make the growing interest in edibles work for my business?
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Room to Grow   Lawn & Garden Retailer May 2009   By P. Allen Smith
Q: Now that spring is finally here, how can I take advantage of the resurgence of customers in my store?
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The Internet: The Final Frontier?   Lawn & Garden Retailer April 2009   By P. Allen Smith
“Even if you haven’t gotten comfortable with the newest technologies, it’s clear that your customers have embraced them wholeheartedly."
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Staying Above the Cut   Plantings April 2009   By P. Allen Smith
Keeping your business in your clients’ budget may mean throwing in a few extra benefits for them — but the return will be well worth it.

Collaborate to Differentiate   Lawn & Garden Retailer March 2009   By Allen Smith
Q: It’s still early in the season, and I’m looking for some strategies that will make a big impact before the spring rush begins. Any ideas?
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Beginning the Spring Thaw Early   Lawn & Garden Retailer February 2009   By P. Allen Smith
Q: As a garden center owner, how can I get customers excited about spring while they’re still stuck in winter?
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It’s the Economy!   Lawn & Garden Retailer January 2009   By P. Allen Smith
Q What advice can you offer independent retailers to help us stay afloat in this volatile economy?
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Tips for Encouraging Halloween Sales   Lawn & Garden Retailer August 2008   By P. Allen Smith
Q: Do you have any ideas on how to scare up additional Halloween sales?

Can Garden Centers Prosper When Customers Pinch Pennies?   Lawn & Garden Retailer July 2008   By P. Allen Smith

Keep Customers Coming Back for More   Lawn & Garden Retailer June 2008   By P. Allen Smith
Q: As summer approaches, what are some surefire ways to encourage customers to keep coming back to the garden center after their initial spring planting?
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Eco-Friendly No-Brainers in the Garden Center   Lawn & Garden Retailer May 2008   By P. Allen Smith
Q: Everybody is talking about sustainability and being eco-friendly. What can a garden center operator do to help meet the consumer’s “green” demands?

Merchandising the Outdoor Living Trend   Lawn & Garden Retailer April 2008   By P. Allen Smith
Q: As more consumers are trying to capture the look and feel of indoor living in an outdoor environment, what can a garden center offer to help them achieve that goal?
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Turning Youthful Thumbs Green   Lawn & Garden Retailer March 2008   By P. Allen Smith
Q: I have a strong base of baby boomer customers who seem loyal and connected to gardening. However, as that population ages, I wonder what can be done to interest younger generations to pick up the trowel. Any ideas?
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Settling Into the Lifestyle Trend   Lawn & Garden Retailer February 2008   By P. Allen Smith
Q: I’ve been hearing a lot about how I need to incorporate more “lifestyle” elements into my garden center, but it takes money and time to change up displays and get in more inventory. If I were going to make incremental changes, where should I start?
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Catering to a Changing Customer Base   Lawn & Garden Retailer January 2008   By P. Allen Smith
Q: I understand you were an independent garden center owner for several years and currently work closely with local nurseries in your design business. From your experience as an owner, consumer and gardening spokesman, how would you say the customer base has changed through the years, and what can independent garden centers do to keep their businesses vital and growing?

Winter’s the Best Time to Warm Up for Spring!   Lawn & Garden Retailer January 2008   By P. Allen Smith
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