Minimum wage increases in 6 states
Six states approved minimum-wage increases in last week's elections. Colo. and Ohio will raise minimum wage to $6.85, Ariz. to $6.75 or more. Mo. raises its minimum wage to $6.50, while Mont. and Nev. raise theirs to $6.15. (In Nevada's case, if health-care benefits are provided, the employer can hold the wage at the federal level.) Each new law has an annual wage increase built in.

Big boxes heavy on holiday decor
Home Depot and Lowe's are going all out in the holiday decor department, according to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Home Depot doubled floor space devoted to holiday decorations in an effort to boost slow 4th-quarter sales. The chain is offering about 350 holiday-decor products, nearly 4 times as much as last year. Lowe's continues to do well with Christmas goods, including holiday music and gift wrap.

'Tis the season for gift cards
The buzz surrounding gift cards has intensified this holiday season. Here's the latest on what consumers are looking for and how rules governing this popular gift option are changing.
→ 1 in 5 to purchase branded gift card. BK Research.
→ 66% of consumers will buy gift cards. Deloitte.
→ States reform gift cards. National Conference of State Legislatures.

Grill shipments post biggest gains in 20 years
More barbecue grills were shipped in 2006 than any previous year, according to figures released by Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Assoc. A record 17,272,500 grills were shipped, a 15.24% increase from 2005. It's the fastest year-to-year growth rate since HPBA began measuring shipments in 1985. Gas grills continued to outsell charcoal grills, with 58% market share going to gas and 40% going to charcoal. Electric grills took 3rd place with 2% of the market. Built-in gas grill shipments increased 6% since 2005. Built-ins are relatively new to the market and are generally considered a high-end product, costing $600 on average.

Garden center gets upscale neighbor
A new lifestyle shopping center will take root next to Illinois retailer Garden Kingdom Garden Center & Landscaping, according to a report in St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Work will begin next spring on Peters Station Commons, a $63 million development that will include an upscale shopping center, residences and office space. Garden Kingdom owner Ken Noll is one of the partners who will develop the new center. Garden Kingdom opened in 1998. Eighty acres of land adjoining the store was purchased in 2001 to allow for expansion. The land will be transformed into a lifestyle center over 10-15 years.

ANLA announces Management Clinic speakers
William McDonough, Dan Heath and Lowell Catlett will speak at ANLA Management Clinic, Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2007, in Louisville, Ky. McDonough, an architect, designer, speaker and writer, is a founder of the sustainable design and development movement. Heath, author and project director at Duke Corporate Education, will discuss why some ideas survive and others die. Catlett, dean of the College of Ag. at New Mexico State Univ., will discuss rapid change in ag. markets. Pre-registration for the clinic closes Jan. 18.

Want to play garden center?
German toy manufacturer Playmobil introduced several green-industry-related play sets earlier this year, which may end up under Christmas trees next month. The Garden Center features plants, garden accessories and potted flowers that can be watered. The product line also includes a greenhouse, plant beds with shed, gardener with tractor, a flower shop and flower delivery van.

Worth a visit
When all is said and done, retailing is about consumers. This month we asked our exclusive consumer panel to visit a garden center and report back. Only on GreenBeam.com.