Weekend Reading 8/2/24

Welcome to Garden Center magazine's Weekend Reading, a weekly round-up of consumer garden media stories meant to help IGCs focus marketing efforts, spark inspiration and start conversations with consumers.

This week: A gardening simulator for the computer, a Florida botanical garden is named one of the "world's greatest places," Gen Z's online purchasing habits, retailers' increasing usage of promo codes and a breakdown of considerations for AI website chatbots.

Relaxing gardening simulator The Garden Path is the breath of fresh air I've been in desperate need of, PC Gamer

There's a new gardening simulator for your (and your customers') computer. The Garden Path features foraging, fishing and gardening, plus stunning visuals. Writer Kara Phillips explains how the simulator becomes a valuable lesson in slowing down and recognizing the importance of patience — important reminders for both our readers and your customers.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens named one of TIME Magazine's World's Greatest Places 2024, TIME Magazine

TIME Magazine published "The World's Greatest Places of 2024," a list of 100 extraordinary destinations to explore. To compile the 2024 list, the magazine solicited nominations from its international network of correspondents and contributors, as well as through an application process, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences. 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, made the list. A 45-acre oasis of banyan trees and mangroves, with a world-renowned collection of epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads and ferns, it's set to become the world’s first net-positive-energy botanical complex thanks to the installation of a 57,000-square-foot solar array.

55% of Gen Z have made an online purchase while browsing social media, Retail Dive

Retail Dive reports that indicating the importance of social commerce, more than half (55%) of Gen Z shoppers have bought items online while browsing social media in the last six months, a new survey of 2,233 U.S. adults by Walmart and Morning Consult found. By contrast, only 38% of shoppers overall did the same. How are you utilizing social commerce?

Retailers are issuing 31% more promo codes than last year, Retail Brew

Retail Brew reports that in the first six months of the year, retailers each issued an average of nine unique codes, a 31% YoY increase, according to SimplyCodes, a promo codes platform. Are you offering promo codes to your customers?

The case for and against AI chatbots, Modern Retail

Modern Retail offers a breakdown of what retailers should consider as they experiment with AI-powered customer service tools on their websites.

Enjoy your reading, have a great weekend and we'll see you next week!