Open Register

The color of success

One of the “all the rage” product categories this spring is Mexican Talavera planters, and few companies do Mexican Talavera planters like Pottery Express. Company owner Dave Palmer makes monthly sojourns below the border to find new pottery designs – and to hone the ways his artists present the company’s wares.

Pottery Express offers not just planters, but a wide range of nature-inspired décor items, including sea creatures that sport the most vivid colors imaginable. And, as appealing as all the products appear, what’s most appealing about the line is that Palmer and Co. have managed to keep their prices competitive.

But don’t take my word for it. “We’ve developed a program for our clients to visit [our warehouse in] Guadalajara and the world-famous shops of Tlaquepaque while staying at a delightful B&B,” he says. “We’ll provide a bilingual employee who is both a guide and a driver.”

The hope, of course, is that you, in turn, will be both a satisfied customer and lasting business partner. It’s interesting how that pairing always seems to mark a good business – or, in this case, I suppose, splatter it with brightly colored paint.

-- Yale

OFA CEO John Holmes passes away

John R. Holmes, CEO of OFA – an Association of Floriculture Professionals, died unexpectedly Feb. 12 in Columbus, Ohio. Holmes was hired as exec. director of OFA in February 2002. Born in Indiana, Holmes’ career began on the staff of the Indiana House of Representatives. He worked in the government affairs division of the Nat’l Assoc. of Mutual Insurance Cos. and with the Ind. Health Care Assoc. Before joining OFA, he was the exec. director of the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water. Holmes received a law degree from Indiana Univ. and was licensed to practice law in Indiana. He was certified in association management by both the American Society of Assoc. Executives and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

-- Sarah

Photo of the week

     

 

Our photo of the week comes from Linda Shively, the public relations representative for Farmington Gardens in Beaverton, Oregon.

“In 2008, Farmington Gardens built this demo vegetable garden, to showcase how to grow veggies in a small space, and different strategies for growing vertically,” Shively said. “We also wanted to show that a vegetable garden can be an attractive part of your landscape, so we incorporated edible flowers as well. We utilize lots of signage, so the garden is an educational tool. We have had much interest in it!”

We’re spotlighting display gardens on Open Register for the next few weeks. We’d love to see yours! Send us the particulars.

Wife lessons

 

Confession: I’m not as smart as you think I am. You see all manner of interesting product material in my magazine, Garden Center Products & Supplies, and you likely conclude that I know what I’m writing about. You hear any of the half dozen or so speeches I do at industry trade shows and conferences each year, and you likely decide that this guy might have an inkling about what makes the market tick.

Here’s the truth: The only smart thing about me is my choice of spouse. When I go to trade shows with the lovely Mrs. Y, I basically follow her around until she stops to look at something that interests her. Then I write/speak about it. You give me the credit, but she does all the heavy lifting. There, I admitted it.

So, you might be wondering, did she accompany me to the recent New England Grows show in Boston? You bet your baked beans, she did, and she made two significant stops at booths I need to note: Alfresco Home and Campania. Coincidentally (or not!), these companies are both part of a bigger family conglomerate. Not coincidentally, both offer the kind of home décor items that makes Susan Youngblood take note.

So here’s a note to you: Be smart like me, and trust this woman’s intuition.

-- Yale

Photo of the week

   

For the next few weeks, we'll be highlighting display gardens on Open Register. The images above come from Platt Hill Nursery in Bloomingdale, Ill. The store's compact display garden includes a complete listing of all the "ingredients" consumers need to recreate the look at home.

We'd love to see photos of your display garden. Send the photos our way!

Butterflyin’ high

Kudos to my buddy Sandy Wallace, whose company, Texas Butterflies, was selected by attendees as the most visually stimulating and well-organized booth at the 2009 Birdwatch America Show. Texas Butterflies’ booth was cited for its colorful displays and for its convenient layout of product.

A unique decoration to accent both yard and garden, the decorative Texas Butterflies line can be used as landscape ornaments to brighten a fence, a home exterior, a garden, or a tree in the yard. Sandy says your customer can give them as housewarming gifts or for the holidays or for special occasions. His company will even deliver them for you.

I met Sandy and some members of this staff a couple of years ago when Texas Butterflies was a fledgling operation. It’s great to see good people rewarded for their hard work.

-- Yale

NRF predicts decrease in Valentine’s spending, overall retail sales

National Retail Federation’s 2009 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey found that consumers plan to spend an average $102.50 on Valentine’s gifts and merchandise, down from last year’s $122.98 per person. Total Valentine’s Day spending is expected to reach $14.7 billion.

Most people will still buy traditional favorites even though they plan to spend less. Over one-third (35.7%) of people will buy flowers, nearly the same as last year’s 35.9%, and 16 % will buy jewelry, compared to16.6% in 2008.

NRF also released its 2009 economic forecast, projecting retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will decrease 0.5% from last year.

“Most of the consumer behavior we saw in 2008 will continue well into this year,” said NRF chief economist Rosalind Wells. “Shoppers will be seeking value and trading down to discount and off-price retailers in order to stretch their purchasing power.”

-- Sarah