Survey of Garden Center Customer Informational and Marketing Needs

Abstract

Abstract A survey of garden center customers was conducted to identify what plant information and method of information presentation were most important, and reasons why customers shopped at a particular garden center. Two hundred and eighty (280) customers were surveyed at three garden centers in the Phoenix, Ariz. metropolitan area. Results indicated that plant culture and description were the most important informational aspects. The two most preferred methods of presentation were that each plant be tagged with care information and the availability of a plant expert for consultation. The most important reasons for selecting a garden center were plant quality and selection, helpful sales personnel, and well-labelled plants. Only 17% of respondents had a specific idea of what plant to purchase indicating the need for garden centers to supply customers with information.