Online Only: Complete Industry Pulse Survey Responses

We surveyed readers to create a profile of the typical greenhouse grower in 2009 and to gauge the current state of the market. Here are the complete findings from our 250 respondents.

Which of the following best describes your business?
Wholesale grower, finished plants    32%   
Grower/retailer    32%   
Wholesale grower, young plants (plugs & liners) 8%
Wholesale grower, finished & young plants    16%
Other 12%

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What percent of the plants you grow was sold through each of the following outlets in 2008?

Mass merchandiser (e.g. Wal-Mart,Target)     11.63   
Home improvement chains (e.g. The Home Depot, Lowe’s)11.54  
Supermarkets         8.92   
Independent garden centers    45.83      
Own retail operation         57.43  

Where is your business located?

Northeastern U.S.20.8%  
Midwestern U.S.    29.2%  
Southeastern U.S. 20.0%  
Southwestern U.S. 6.0%  
Western U.S.    16.8%  
International    7.2%  

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How long has your greenhouse operation been in business?

5 years or less    14.0%  
6 to 10 years    8.6%  
11 to 15 years    6.2%  
16 to 20 years    9.9%  
21 to 25 years    11.1%  
More than 25 years 50.2%  

How many square feet did your company have under cover for greenhouse production in 2008?

4,999 square feet or less        15.2%  
5,000 to 9,999 square feet        8.4%  
10,000 to 24,999 square feet        13.5%  
25,000 to 49,999 square feet        9.7%   
50,000 to 99,999 square feet        14.3%  
100,000 to 249,999 square feet        13.5%  
250,000 to 499,999 square feet        8.9%   
500,000 to 999,999 square feet        8.4%   
1 million square feet or more        8.0%   

Which of the following crops did your operation produce in 2008? (Check all that apply)
    
Seed annuals     63.2%   
Vegetative annuals    70.1%   
Flowering potted plants    66.7%   
Fresh cut flowers    9.4%   
Potted foliage        27.8%   
Vegetable transplants    44.4%   
Perennials        64.5%   
Plugs and/or young plants    36.8%   
Woody ornamentals    26.5%   
viewOther (please specify)   

How many retail outlets (total number of stores) did you sell to in 2008?

3 or fewer    40.4%   
4 to 6        6.1%   
7 to 9        3.3%   
10-24        9.4%   
25-49        10.8%   
50-99        9.4%   
100 or more    20.7%   

How many retail outlets do you expect to sell to in 2009?

More than in 2008        24.3%   
The same as in 2008        65.2%   
Fewer than in 2008        10.5%   

How many year-round employees does your company have?
5 or fewer    44.6% 
6 to 10        13.1%
11 to 15    6.3%   
16 to 20    6.3%
21 to 25    4.1%   
26 to 50    5.9%   
51 to 100    9.5%   
More than 100    10.4%  

How many seasonal employees does your company have?
5 or fewer    41.8%  
6 to 10        12.7%   
11 to 15    7.3% 
16 to 20    7.7%
21 to 25    5.0%  
26 to 50    9.1%  
51 to 100    6.8%
More than 100    9.5% 

Please estimate your annual sales for 2008.
Less than $25,000    10.2% 
$25,000 to $99,999    11.1% 
$100,000 to $249,999    9.7% 
$250,000 to $499,999    10.6% 
$500,000 to $999,999    8.8%
$1 million to $2.9 million    19.4% 
$3 million to $4.9 million    7.9% 
$5 million or more        22.2% 

How did your 2008 sales compare to your 2007 sales?
Increase less than 5%    21.4% 
Increase 6 to 10%    18.8%  
Increase more than 10%    15.6%  
Decrease less than 5%    10.3%  
Decrease 6 to 10%    10.7%  
Decrease more than 10%    9.8%  
Stay the same    13.4% 

How do you expect your 2009 sales to compare to your 2008 sales?

Increase less than 5%    26.0% 
Increase 6 to 10%    17.0% 
Increase more than 10%    13.0% 
Decrease less than 5%    9.4% 
Decrease 6 to 10%    7.6%  
Decrease more than 10%    4.5%  
Stay the same        22.4%  

What percentage of your revenues come from the following areas?
Mass merchandiser (e.g. Wal-Mart, Target)    47.6% 
Home improvement chains (e.g. The Home Depot, Lowe’s) 47.6% 
Supermarkets    48.1% 
Independent garden centers    74.8%
Own retail operation        60.2%
Contract growing        40.3%
Other (please specify)        37.4%

From the list below, please check the three biggest challenges limiting your company’s ability to grow.
Energy costs    73.9%
Inability to raise prices    49.8%
Competition    46.4%
Weather        43.1%
Finding quality labor        33.2%

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