Updated 12-17-10: I added a new links. Looks like more may come so check back for more updates
I’ve spent most of my morning reading some blog posts in response to Monrovia’s situation. The responses on the Garden Rant by consumers and other industry professions are what I found most interesting. Here are the links to what I have read:
http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2010/12/monrovia-to-indie-retailers-buy-some-plants-now.html
http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2010/12/that-monrovia-thing-continued.html – Be sure to read the comments on this one.
http://thegoldengecko.com/blog/?p=948#comment-47727
http://thegoldengecko.com/blog/?p=957
http://thegoldengecko.com/blog/?p=953
http://thegoldengecko.com/blog/?p=956
http://freshairforum.ning.com/forum/topics/monrovia-bank-pressures
Update: http://www.greenhousegrower.com/news/?storyid=4027
Update: supplier’s viewpoint – http://hortcoutureplants.blogspot.com/2010/12/great-change-in-garden-center-industry.html
How about you? Are any of our garden centers going to increase/commit to Monrovia? Are any of you gardeners going to specifically seek out Monrovia’s plants this spring?
Personally, I think their situation can be used as a blue print for a “Worst Case Scenario” for any nursery or garden center regardless of their size. It all comes down to four things:
- What is your relationship with your customers?
- What value are you providing them?/Are you providing what they want?
- How are you communicating that value?
- Are you profitable enough to sustain that value over a long period of time?
We can all learn a thing or two from this.