Less Can Be More!
May 2008 - Janet Atkinson

Big box stores are especially good at one thing: they’ve figured out how to get inside our heads and have researched what will make us buy things we don’t need. Each square inch of space in these stores is planned to maximize every transaction.
Okay, as free-thinking, independent people, we’re accountable for our actions, and the big stores are doing as they should by practicing retail science.

But by allowing the big box stores to monopolize our product buying in the name of convenience, are we threatening the survival of smaller, local independent businesses?
As an active member of a gardening/landscaping community, I admit, with some guilt, that I often purchase plants from big box stores. So, here’s my pledge: When I’m ready to make a garden purchase, I will first visit a local garden centre or two (okay, five!) Of course I’m hoping that others will join my crusade. In anticipation of some reluctance, I’ve carefully weighed both sides of the argument about where to buy.

Pros of Local Garden Centres
Generally, the staff at smaller centres are more knowledgeable and attentive. They’re willing to spend time informing you about their products and care requirements, and can provide you with advice about anything from the individual plant, to effective plant combinations, to designing an entire garden. How confident can you be in the advice you get from the 18-year-old big box store cashier who may not have even heard of a petunia until he scanned the UPC code?

Because the staff (which often consists of the owner him/herself) is more knowledgeable and more personally invested in the business, plants at the smaller centres are better cared for, which translates into a healthier plant for you.

Although the smaller stores may not stock hundreds of each item, they’ll likely have a more diverse assortment of products.

The sales policies at small garden centres may be more accommodating and flexible than the big stores. The staff will do what they can to accommodate you because they want you to shop there often and to spread the word about their store. The pricing may be flexible as well, especially if your purchase is substantial.

Cons of the local garden centre
Some products at the smaller stores may be priced slightly higher. The small businesses simply don’t have the pricing power that big box volume buying allows. But even with a higher price, the small garden centre is likely making less profit.

The local centres may not be as conveniently located. But surely with all the driving around we do, we’re likely to pass these stores and can stop in when we’re considering purchases.

The smaller stores may not have huge, paved parking lots and products may not be packaged as attractively as those in big box stores. But are these things really worth the potential disappearance of our local entrepreneurs?

In many cases, the owner of the independent garden centre is a passionate plant lover and is in the business for the love of it – in spite of little profit. For the few extra dollars a purchase there might cost, I personally feel better knowing that I’m helping to sustain that business because it promotes product diversity and a love of gardening in a way the big box stores can’t.

So when you’re ready to buy something for your garden, join me in a pledge to the local garden centres. Our modest campaign will be of little consequence to the big box stores and isn’t intended to harm them. It may, however, go a long way to preserving our local small businesses and all they provide to our communities.

The big box stores are especially good at one thing: being big. In a big way, they practice capitalism at its best while providing many jobs and contributing to the community. But imagine a community where specialty products are sold only by specialty sellers.

Consumers and retailers alike would benefit from more knowledge, more caring and maybe even the inspiration that strong competition creates. While I do hope the big box stores continue to improve our communities, I will be patronizing them less – at least during the gardening season. I hope to see you in an overcrowded local garden centre parking lot soon! .