How Growers, Retailers, and Suppliers Can Help Each Other Out During the Coronavirus Pandemic
May 10, 2020 
Photo courtesy of Southwood
The National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) hosted a webinar on May 5 that offered tools, tips, and resources to all segments of the horticulture industry that are planning for a world beyond COVID-19.
Mason Day, Chair of NICH’s Commercial Council and Head of Community and Support at JR Peters Inc. (as well as the Co-Founder of the GrowIt! Mobile App), was the featured speaker during the virtual event. He focused on the most critical short-term concerns for garden retailers, growers, and industry suppliers.
“Our goal is simply to provide you with helpful tools, knowing that the current situation will depend on your location,” Mason said. “We just want to help you find the answers that will help your business.”
Here are some of the key takeaways from Day’s presentation.
For Garden Retailers:
- If you’re able to allow shoppers in your stores, you can maintain customer and employee safety through one-way signs, or by getting creative in using your products to create paths. Here are some resources from the National Retail Federation and Purdue University.
- If you’re only able to offer online ordering and/or curbside pickup, be sure to advertise this heavily. In fact, Day says he expects the short-term adjustments COVID-19 is forcing on the industry to lead to long-term growth in online sales. In other words, if you’re not set up for online sales, do so now. It may be expensive, but it will be helpful for the future.
- At the same time, don’t panic. Resist the urge to offer too many sales, and watch for scams or companies offering overpriced online sales portals.
- Above all else, just focus on getting through spring. The seasonality of this industry has made managing through this crisis even more of a challenge, so keep your eye on the end of the season.
For Growers:
- The coronavirus has left many growers in a holding pattern with their crops, so take advantage of online resources offering tips on doing this effectively, while keeping them free of insects and diseases (since you’re likely unable to invite outside crop consultants into your greenhouse right now).
- Look for ways to make things easier for your retailer customers, such as allowing them to hold racks for displaying plants. Resist the temptation to go around your long-time customers to sell product elsewhere.
For Suppliers:
- Offer yourself as a primary resource for the entire supply chain.
- Provide marketing support if you can, or help promote your customers’ businesses.
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