Online sales to surpass $200 billion in 2006
Online sales will top $200 billion this year, according to a Shop.org study, the 2006 State of Retailing Online. The 174 retailers surveyed expect sales to rise 20% to $211.4 billion. Sales excluding travel will reach $138 billion. The largest non-travel categories this year include computer hardware and software ($16.8 billion), automobiles and parts ($15.9 billion) and apparel, accessories and footwear ($13.8 billion). Pet supplies, cosmetics and fragrances are expected to experience growth rates more than 30%.

Newspaper questions ammonium nitrate sales
The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) ran a commentary last Thursday promoting a ban on ammonium nitrate in the U.S. The article's author, Russell Seitz, argued that garden centers around the country are "explosive buffets" and could sell enough of the fertilizer to mount a major terrorist attack in a single sale. Seitz said Europe has banned selling the fertilizer in a pure form after decades of terrorist activity there.

Nurseries thrive in Iraq
Nurseries have done brisk business since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, according to a report in USA Today. Landscaping is in demand thanks to greater disposable incomes and orders from government contractors. One nursery owner reported that young Iraqis with homes and families are scooping up plants, despite higher prices.

Company breathes new life into bar codes
Japan-based Design Barcode has partnered with Seattle-based Pacarc to offer custom-designed bar codes. The duo is transforming the thick and thin lines into eye-catching graphics. According to Pacarc's Web site, this new system "gives brand managers a new way to delight customers and innovate on stale product real estate."

Rose commemorates 9-11 victims
Forty Heroes, a golden-yellow rose named to honor the crew and passengers of United Flight 93, was planted in the Remember Me Rose Garden in New York City last month. The rose was hybridized by Ping Lim of Bailey Nurseries and will be available to retail garden centers in 2008. Two other Remember Me Rose Gardens are planned for Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania to commemorate 9-11 victims.

New England event features retail tips
New England Greenhouse Conference will offer 2 sessions geared toward retailers this year. Robert Hendrickson, managing dir. of the Garden Center Group and columnist for Garden Center magazine, will address merchandising and marketing on Nov. 1. The conference runs from Nov. 1-3 at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.

Garden center tours focus on Northeast
Both the ANLA Retail Roadshow and the GCA Summer Tour, which take place at the end of this month, will explore garden centers in the Northeast. The ANLA tour will start in Boston and work its way to Maine. The GCA tour will begin in Rochester, N.Y., and make a foray into Canada. The ANLA Retail Roadshow takes place June 21-24, and GCA Summer Tour is June 25-28.

Worth a visit
When all is said and done, retailing is about consumers. This month we asked our exclusive consumer panel what it's like shopping at local garden centers. Only on GreenBeam.com.