Thrive Guide - 2022 - 24

CONSUMER TRENDS
are working to bring together
community, " says Dubow.
" Invite local creators in for a
Localtopia event, collaborate
on new products, and share in
their social reach. "
by driving sales. People want
container plants that look good
and are low-care.
" Defining spaces for
comfortable and safe
entertainment is top of mind
The quick change to virtual
demanded everyone to adjust
and improve. Every sector
pivoted, including social media.
" The pandemic accelerated
online shopping, " Dubow
says. " The customer will be
expecting your store to offer
products for sale directly from
social platforms, known as
Shoppertainment. In the U.S.,
social commerce may reach
4.2% of retail e-commerce
sales in 2022 or $36.09 billion. "
2021 was the year of " The
Great Reset. " With any reset,
you need to start at the
beginning. For the estimated
18.3 million new gardeners
gained the past year, this
means basic knowledge.
" Our challenge is building
Home improvement projects
show no signs of slowing down.
Zoning will be the latest idea -
creating spaces pertaining to
each need of work and play.
Some key zones for retailers
to consider catering to are
front yard zones. Social media
searches for " front yard " or
" front porch " have reached a
five-year high. By positioning
plants and products to suit this
space, IGCs can react to trends
a bridge for these instant
gratification customers to turn
into lifetime gardeners, " Dubow
says. " Build a foundation made
up of products and information
specific to your customers'
interest - whether it's
edibles, gardening for
wildlife, containers, or the
DIY generation. "
By bridging the gap in
products for beginners, garden
centers will lead new customers
to success. And note, the more
personalization, the better.
But be sure to offer quality
products, and don't overwhelm
newbies with too many choices.
24 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | THRIVING IN 2022
for homeowners, " Dubow says.
" Out front, they can welcome
people into their space without
crossing the threshold. "
Many discovered or even
rediscovered birding last year.
Sales of feeders and feed were
projected to hit $2.2 billion in
sales in 2021.
" Birding as a hobby is great
news for retailers that sell feed
and feeders, " Dubow says.
" An exciting byproduct of an
interest in birds is an interest in
the plants to feed them. "
Make it easy for new bird
enthusiasts to shop the
essentials by designing and
merchandising collections to
feed birds. Provide plant lists,
merchandising, and guides, and
lead birdwatching walks or host
birding clubs to support and
engage this group.
Flowers are the new hugs.
In times when hugging and
personal connections are limited,
people show their appreciation
by giving flowers. The act of
both giving and receiving flowers
triggers the feel-good hormones
in our brains.
Whether a pandemic,
personal pleasure or a signal
of an elevated lifestyle, cut
flower bouquet sales in the U.S.
reached 6.5 billion in 2021 and
Thrive Guide - 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Thrive Guide - 2022
