Green thumbs and optimized storefronts: The garden retailers’ guide to capturing the next generation of plant parents

To effectively engage both rookie and seasoned gardeners, garden retailers must adapt their approach to capture all audiences. But the question is, how? Retailers must stay on top of current trends while leveraging innovative tools that help them drive sales and align with their customers’ preferences.

With the summer months underway, interest in gardening continues to grow. To capture the attention of both seasoned gardeners and newcomers, retailers must strike a balance between catering to time-tested techniques and innovative practices, providing a range of options for gardening customers.

The blooming plant parent trend

Plant parenting has emerged as a new trend in the gardening space, particularly among Gen Z and millennials. Similar to the rise of dog moms, many consumers are embracing plants as a form of wellness and enjoyment. Plants add life to their homes in a sustainable way while balancing affordability. For those not yet ready for a more time-intensive commitment like a pet, plants offer a low-cost alternative. While the financial investment in plant parenting is minimal, the emotional connection is significant.

Plant parents bring plants into their homes with the intent to provide fresh air, support mental health and remain budget-friendly. With this, gardening has evolved into a form of self-care, offering a space for creativity and nurturing. With rising costs in an uncertain economic environment, many Gen Zers and millennials are also growing their own vegetables, such as lettuce, avocados, herbs and tomatoes, among others. There has also been a significant uptick in health-conscious efforts across these generations, further fueling the desire to grow and consume their own food.

Cultivating calm through gardening

Caring for a plant provides a unique opportunity for mindfulness, allowing individuals to focus on a living thing and temporarily escape the daily stresses and challenges of life. This practice is particularly beneficial for younger generations living in crowded urban environments. In small living spaces, where windowsills may be the only available space, adding greenery can bring light to the sometimes overwhelming experience of young adulthood.

Nurturing plants in such settings can create a sense of calm, foster a connection to the natural world and instill feelings of success and accomplishment as people watch their plants thrive. For those who find themselves distanced from nature in their daily routines, bringing a simple basil plant, an orchid or other greenery into their homes can offer peace and serenity. Engaging with something outside of one’s own thoughts requires careful attention and consideration, providing a much-needed break from internal feelings and mental pressures.

Planting the seeds of success

Garden retailers have a lot to manage as peak gardening season approaches, and it all starts with having a high-quality point-of-sale system. This system should not only track emerging trends but also maintain traditional practices. Customers appreciate personalized shopping experiences, where they can easily pick up where they left off from their last visit. By using an advanced POS system, garden retailers can accurately monitor sales, manage both in-store and online inventory, and stay ahead of seasonal trends. To ensure that a retailer’s internal processes run smoothly, it’s essential to start with effective technology. Adopting and leveraging an advanced POS system serves as a foundational step to optimizing operations and enhancing the overall customer experience both in-store and online.

From seasoned gardeners to new plant parents, retailers can attract a wide range of consumers. To cater to this range, it is crucial to offer a diverse selection of unique statement pieces alongside traditional plants and accessories. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity, as striking the right balance and sourcing the latest trends can be difficult. However, there are endless possibilities for inspiration and engagement. Storefronts should aim to cater to a wide range of generational preferences and experience levels, while incorporating both traditional and quirky items that appeal to a diverse consumer base.

Retailers who can effectively blend tradition with modern trends, while also focusing on functionality and aesthetics, will find the most success this season. It’s important to consider the needs of new plant parents and understand how gardening can serve as a mental health outlet. Additionally, implementing a robust POS system can help track customer preferences and trends, setting the business and staff up for long-term success.

Tailored solutions for home and garden retailers help simplify complex inventory, streamline services and anticipate seasonal demand. This includes advanced inventory management (allowing retailers to set reorder points and receive low stock alerts), seasonal trend insights (leaning on sales trends and customer data to forecast demand and optimize stock levels) and customer connection points (such as running targeted promotions directly from the POS to move slow-moving stock and boost sales). These features enable garden retailers to seamlessly track inventory, quickly adapt to ongoing trends and ensure long-term success.

Sponsored by Lightspeed Commerce