Garden centers to overtake mass merchants?
More consumers plan to purchase their 2007 spring plants at a garden center or local retailer (47%) than at mass merchants (44%), according to the Early Spring Gardening Trends Research Report released by Garden Writers Assoc. Foundation. In 2005 and 2006, mass merchants were the top shopping spot, with 51% and 52% of consumers, respectively. A majority of consumers (42%) said they'll be spending money on lawn and grass products, followed by perennials (36%), annuals (34%), vegetables and fruit plants (32%) and trees and shrubs (27%). When it comes to products labeled organic or natural, consumers said they're more inclined to buy plant food (28%), garden fruits and vegetables (29%) and potting soil (25%). Read more.

Lawmakers look at credit card fees
Legislators are taking a close look at credit card fees, penalties and interest rates. Lawmakers and consumers want rules that are more transparent.
→ Revisions needed. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
→ Taming fees. Toledoblade.com
→ Credit cards companies don't play fair. The Boston Globe

Many employers violate child-labor laws
Many teenagers in the U.S. use dangerous equipment or work long hours during the school week, according to a Univ. of N.C. at Chapel Hill study. A survey of 14- to 18-year-old workers showed 52% of males and 43% of females use dangerous equipment such as box crushers and slicers, or serve and sell alcohol despite federal child-labor laws prohibiting these practices. Many teens younger than 16 years old reported working after 7 p.m. on school nights, which is illegal. About 1/3 of the teens surveyed said they had not received safety training. Others who were trained did not receive instruction in some critical areas, such as what to do in case of robbery or how to deal with fights among co-workers.

Traditional ads prompt online searches
Consumers take cues from traditional advertising to determine when and where to search for merchandise online, according to survey by Retail Advertising and Marketing Assoc. Consumers said they were most motivated to begin an online search after viewing ads in magazines (47.2%), newspapers (42.3%), on TV (42.8%) and from reading articles (43.7%). Women were more likely than men to be motivated by coupons (41.8% vs. 29%) and in-store promotions (29% vs. 24.5%). Men were more driven to start an online search based on face-to-face conversation (36.1% vs. 29.5%).

Hotel offers dream vacation for orchid lovers
Buckingham Hotel in New York is offering a pricey package for diehard orchid lovers. For $15,000, guests will stay 2 nights in the hotel's penthouse suite, bedecked with rare orchids. During the day, visitors can make their way to the New York International Orchid Show, which runs April 18-22. After 2 `nights at the hotel, travelers will be flown first-class to the Florida Everglades to hunt for their own rare orchids. Orchid aficionados short on cash can get a pared-down package for $396 a night. The budget package includes tickets to the orchid show, a copy of the novel, "The Orchid Thief," a potted orchid and orchid-themed drinks at the Rock Center Cafe.

View from a blog
Trend spotting, European style. Open Register

Worth a visit
Our industry is full of plant people. But store design is outside most retailers' comfort zone. Let the Garden Center Design School expert guide you through the principles of a great display. Only on GreenBeam.com.