Monrovia’s Move To Online Sales Brings Response From Some Retailers

Monrovia has announced that it will launch an eCommerce portion of its website, selling its Secret Gardener Collection. The company says it plans to ship the plants to the customer’s local garden center and credit that garden center with the sale. You can read the full article from Greenhouse Grower’sister publication, Today’s Garden Center.

The feedback on the story was mixed, with some supporting Monrovia’s new plans and some questioning how it will affect the industry. Here’s what we heard from our readers on this story:

“This program unfortunately will drastically decrease the perceived prices on all woody plants for all IGCs. Taking blind specialty inventory items and keystoning them is a shame. It will facilitate a competition to the lowest prices.”
– Brad S.

“The retail price of Monrovia plants sold online will vary by region and will be priced higher than the local IGC. This is in no way meant to ‘undercut’ our customers’ established retail price.”
– Pam Wasson

“They don’t get it. The IGCs, especially here in the Northeast, have moved on from the Monrovia Brand. They’ve lost their way.”
– Jake Pierson (on Twitter)

“I love it! Monrovia is striving to keep up with the times and eCommerce is where it’s at. Also a win-win for the IGCs.”
– Ahmed Hassan (on Twitter)