Lynne Bower of Stonegate Gardens in Lincoln, Mass., has some advice for fellow garden center operators still cautious about where the economy will go in 2011:
"Buy small—buy often," she said, noting that it's the most difficulat retail lesson she's learned over the years.
Now, Stonegate Gardens manages its inventory by increasing the times it turns over. "This is easier to do in the annual and perennial departments," Bower said. "Too many times I purchase with my eyes and not from the purse. Cutting back on early pre-booked nursery orders was beneficial last year and is a practice that we’re continuing."
As a result, she's also likely to continue hearing this: "Cha-ching!"
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