Clint Albin, Retail Strategist at Homestead Gardens -- I have been involved in the nursery and retail business all my life. After LSU, I worked for Shemin Nurseries (IL, CT, MD) before becoming the director of Garden Centers of America. After 10 years with GCA, I became a consultant to the industry. As an industry consultant, I have led countless tour groups looking for the best-in-class ideas to create successful retail garden centers. I was the public relations director of the IGC show for 8 years, where I had the ability to see and hear first-hand trends that were making companies, retailers and brands more valued by consumers. I helped startups in hort-i-tech get involved in garden retailing. Using my unique understanding of the industry channels, I offer strategic positioning insights for companies who want to become more consumer-facing and increase market share with key horticultural products.
The greatest growth will come when the category can consumer-face all 320 million Americans and be available 52-weeks-a-year. I believe the future will be brighter for the category by making consumer horticulture more relevant and accessible to all through changes in the retail format, consumer messaging and product development to reverse the declining trend in sales and annual shopping visits.
Consumer Horticulture must become a greater destination for those gardeners who would like a more holistic shopping experience and find products that encourage gardeners to continue to enjoy the activity as they age while providing a development space for the next generation of gardening products and services. Horticulture is health care.
About Homestead Gardens (Horticultural Supply) ... Fresh From the Farm to You
Under the name of Homestead Growers, we grow high-quality plants for our retail store and landscape division, as well as for area landscape companies and contractors. While the production facility began in 1985, a major expansion took place in 2001, so that there is currently more than 330,000 square feet of protected growing space.
On average, our facility grows approximately 150,000 perennials, 85,000 trees and shrubs, and 30,000 poinsettias every year! Homestead Gardens employs the best horticulture professionals in the industry, who maintain strict quality-control measures to ensure that you, the customer, receive the best plants possible. If you?re interested in seeing our Greenhouse in action, contact Gene Sumi for details on the next available tour date.
