The popularity of home gardening is on the rise. The industry has grown consistently in recent years, and almost 38% of households say they plan to do more gardening activities next year.
If you have a green thumb and a passion for sharing your knowledge, now’s the perfect time to plant the seed for a successful garden center.
If you’re wondering how to start a garden center business, look no further.
Read on to find out what makes a great garden center, what startup costs you can expect, and a step-by-step guide on how to start a garden center business.
Sometimes people use “garden center” and “plant nursery” interchangeably. However, in terms of business models, the two have a few distinct differences.
Gardening stores are a niche and largely seasonal business, yet there’s lots of competition. You need to make sure your business is unique to get a slice of the pie. When coming up with an idea for your garden center, consider how you’ll stand out in these areas:
Starting a garden center may be challenging — but it’s worth it. Garden centers are a great way to connect to your local community and support a sustainable and fulfilling activity.
Here are the seven most important steps when considering how to start a garden center business.
Before you dive headfirst into the nitty gritty of opening a store, do your homework. A business plan is a document that lays out what your business is, who it serves, and how it will achieve success. Consider it the foundation of your new business.
A typical business plan includes:
A business plan can take a lot of time and effort to write — but it’s worth it. It’s like a north star for your business and can keep you grounded on the path to success.
Related Read: The Best Business Plan Checklist for New Owners
If you’re starting a garden center for the first time, you’ll need a firm understanding of the startup costs. Average garden center startup costs range from $20,000 to $80,000. Typical costs include:
Don’t forget labor costs. Garden centers require much more physical labor to set up than other retailers.
As part of your market research, take some time to figure out not just how you’ll be better than other garden stores, but how you’ll be different.
Establish what atmosphere you want to have in the shop. For example, do you want to be an expert on native gardening in your region? Or maybe you want to specialize in greenhouse plants and supplies. You have options.
Even if you plan to offer general garden store products, try to think of other ways your store can be unique, like hosting gardening workshops or having an attached cafe. These ideas will be the seeds that grow into your brand, so be creative!
Once you’ve got your business plan and some great ideas under your belt, it’s time to get into the details. A typical brick-and-mortar garden center will need three types of licenses to run legally.
The exact licenses you need (and where apply) vary by state. So make sure to check in with your local government or visit the Small Business Administration website for more resources.
A great location contributes to the success of a new business. Garden centers in particular need a lot of space with enough areas for plants, bags of soil, tools, and (of course) your customers.
To attract new customers, look for a large space near a main shopping hub. If you plan to build a greenhouse, make sure your lot still has ample parking.
Running an independent garden center can be tough — especially with so many big box stores competing for your business.
Leveraging a garden store POS system is an easy way to deliver a better customer experience, manage inventory, and boost profits. The right technology partner can help garden centers in a few unique ways:
The features in a modern POS system are vital for keeping small and independent retailers competitive. Make sure your technology isn’t just doing the bare minimum for your business.
Related Read: 8 Ways To Make the Most of Your Retail POS Data
Marketing is an exciting chance for you to share your brand and your expertise with the community. Unfortunately, marketing can often fall by the wayside when starting a new business. But trust us, giving your marketing a little TLC will pay off in spades (no pun intended).
A consistent marketing strategy will help your business grow by attracting new customers and bringing old ones back. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Regardless of what types of media you use, remember that consistency is key. This will help you rank well in web searches and ensure your customers don’t forget about you.
Running a garden center can be a challenge because it is, by nature, a seasonal business. To counter that, setting up a customer loyalty program is a great way to turn one-time shoppers into repeat customers.
Modern POS systems let you tailor your customer loyalty programs to fit your business model. For example, customers could earn points every time they buy seasonal plants, which can be redeemed on certain garden tools. With customers earning points in the spring, they’ll be more likely to come back to you in the summer or winter to redeem them.
Members of your customer loyalty program are likely your biggest fans. By tracking the sales data of loyalty members, you can also figure out what they’re buying most and use that information to craft meaningful offers just for them.
Now that you have a better idea of how to start a garden center business, what are you waiting for?
With some careful planning, creativity, and a green thumb, you can earn a living while bringing more life into your community. And with the right technology partner in your corner, you’ll have the tools and insights you need to stay successful.
Comcash has over 25 years of experience in helping small businesses thrive. Our cloud-based solution empowers new businesses to reach their full potential thanks to features like real-time inventory management, sales reports, and easy payments.
Ready to start your garden center business? We’re here to help.
Schedule your free demo today.