Online Only: Industry Pulse Results

Part I: Reaction To Spring

Which of the following best describes your business?
Grower-retailer: 49.0% (76 respondents)
Wholesale grower: 47.1% (73)
Young plant grower: 3.9% (6)

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Where are you located?
New York: 7.6% (14)
Florida: 7.1% (13)
Pennsylvania: 6.5% (12)
California: 5.4% (10)
Ohio: 3.3% (6)
Not in the United States: 5.4% (10)
Other states: 64.7% (119)

How did your Spring 2009 sales compare to your expectations for the season?
Sales exceeded expectations by more than 10 percent: 15.6% (25)
Sales exceeded expectations between 5 and 10 percent: 15.6% (25)
Sales exceeded expectations by less than 5 percent: 6.9% (11)
Sales met my expectations: 27.5% (44)
Sales fell short of expectations by less than 5 percent: 6.9% (11)
Sales fell short of expectations between 5 and 10 percent: 13.8% (22)
Sales fell short of expectations by more than 10 percent: 13.8% (22)

How did your Spring 2009 sales compare to Spring 2008 sales?
Sales increased more than 10 percent: 16.0% (26)
Sales increased between 5 and 10 percent: 20.4% (33)
Sales increased less than 5 percent: 9.9% (16)
Sales were about the same: 16.0% (26)
Sales decreased less than 5 percent: 8.6% (14)
Sales decreased between 5 and 10 percent: 13.0% (21)
Sales decreased by more than 10 percent: 16.0% (26)

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Did you grow enough to meet consumer demand?
Yes: 83.4% (131)
No: 16.6% (26)

Where did you see the most sales growth this spring?
E-commerce sites: 4.3% (6)
Farm markets: 9.4% (13)
Home improvement chains: 5.1% (7)
Independent garden centers: 29.0% (40)
Mass merchandisers: 8.0% (11)
Other growers: 8.0% (11)
Supermarket chains: 6.5% (9)
Warehouse clubs: 1.4% (2)
Wholesale florists 0.7% (1)

If you’re a grower serving the box stores, what kind of sales growth did you seee in Spring 2009 compared to Spring 2008?
Sales increased more than 10 percent: 7.4% (2)
Sales increased between 5 and 10 percent: 22.2% (6)
Sales increased less than 5 percent: 14.8% (4)
Sales were about the same: 22.2% (6)
Sales decreased less than 5 percent: 0% (0)
Sales decreased between 5 and 10 percent: 14.8% (4)
Sales decreased more than 10 percent: 18.5% (5)

What was your biggest challenge this spring?
Access to credit: 2.7% (4)
Competition: 3.4% (5)
The economy’s impact on consumers: 38.8% (57)
Weather: 55.1% (81)
Other: (25)

Was spring a success or a failure for your business?
A success: 85.5% (136)
A failure: 14.5% (23)

Part II: More Reaction To Spring

If you grow vegetables and herbs, how did Spring 2009 sales of them compare to Spring 2008 sales?
Sales increased more than 10 percent: 33.9% (42)
Sales increased between 5 and 10 percent: 21.8% (27)
Sales increased less than 5 percent: 10.5% (13)
Sales were about the same: 12.9% (16)
Sales decreased less than 5 percent: 1.6% (2)
Sales decreased between 5 and 10 percent: 0.8% (1)
Sales decreased more than 10 percent: 1.6% (2)
Did not grow vegetables and herbs last year: 16.9% (21)

If you grow container perennials, how did Spring 2009 sales of them compare to Spring 2008 sales?
Sales increased more than 10 percent: 11.4% (13)
Sales increased between 5 and 10 percent: 16.7% (19)
Sales increased less than 5 percent: 8.8% (10)
Sales were about the same: 25.4% (29)
Sales decreased less than 5 percent: 7.9% (9)
Sales decreased between 5 and 10 percent: 4.4% (5)
Sales decreased more than 10 percent: 7.0% (8)
Did not grow container perennials and herbs last year: 18.4% (21)

If you grow flowering potted plants, how did Spring 2009 sales of them compare to Spring 2008 sales?
Sales increased more than 10 percent: 9.6% (11)
Sales increased between 5 and 10 percent: 11.3% (13)
Sales increased less than 5 percent: 13.9% (16)
Sales were about the same: 24.3% (28)
Sales decreased less than 5 percent: 12.2% (14)
Sales decreased between 5 and 10 percent: 9.6% (11)
Sales decreased more than 10 percent: 7.0% (8)
Did not grow flowering potted plants last year: 12.2% (14)

If you grow ornamental bedding plants, how did Spring 2009 sales of them compare to Spring 2008 sales?
Sales increased more than 10 percent: 11.3% (14)
Sales increased between 5 and 10 percent: 14.5% (18)
Sales increased less than 5 percent: 16.9% (21)
Sales were about the same: 17.7% (22)
Sales decreased less than 5 percent: 8.9% (11)
Sales decreased between 5 and 10 percent: 11.3% (14)
Sales decreased more than 10 percent: 5.6% (7)
Did not grow ornamental bedding plants last year: 13.7% (17)

Are you changing your production plans for fall and winter based on the outcome of spring?
Yes, I will grow more: 14.4% (21)
Yes, I will grow less: 28.1% (41)
No, my fall and winter plans will not change: 57.5% (84)

Do you believe our industry is, and always has been, recession proof?
Yes: 41.0% (64)
No: 59.0% (92)

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