Your success is our goal!
Transcription
Your success is our goal!
“Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!” Your success is our goal! ~ Humbert Wolfe Index Pg. 1 ~ Thank you from Arett Sales Pg. 2 ~ It’s Time, The Fall Planting and Deer Season Are Here - Are You Ready? Employee of the Month Pg. 3 ~ Must Have Lines For Spring 2008 Pg. 4 ~ Open House Highlights Pg. 5 ~ More Open House Highlights Pg. 6 ~ Pumpkintown, USA Pg. 7 ~ Best Practices - Your Company’s Culture - Sales Training Pg. 8 ~ Arett’s Christmas Showroom Opens January 18th Arett Sales would like to thank our customers, vendors and staff for making Arett’s 2007 Open House our biggest and best show ever. The show started off on September 9th with a golf outing at Marriot’s Seaview Resort and Spa. The customers who participated were treated to breakfast, 18 holes of golf and a luncheon. Proceeds benefited Angel Flight East. A good time was had by all those who participated in our 1st Annual Golf Outing. The Arett Open House featured over 180,000 square feet of products for Sept. 9th - 11th, 2007 Atlantic City Convention Center Spring of 2008 with more than 500 vendors participating. Over 1000 dealers attended the show and were treated to an array of sports games and prizes. Customers also enjoyed a sit down dinner and comedy show on Monday as well. Once again Arett would like to thank our customers and vendors for a terrific show and we look forward to seeing you at our Christmas Showroom that will open in January. Sincerely, The Arett Sales Family If you would like more information or would like to receive an email of the Arett Outlook every month, please send us an email at: outlook@arett.com Family Owned Since 1953 Customer Service Hours Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm Vol. 1 ~ Autumn 2007 • Arett Newsletter ~ Pg. 1 It’s Time... Ames Bulb PLanter Fall Planting Season Are You Ready? A42 19466 When it comes to planting, many homeowners think only of spring. Reeducate your customers and let then know Fall Is For Planting. Ames Bow Rake A42 18866 Let your customers know that planting in the fall establishes better root systems that help plants to better deal with heat and drought in the summer. Also mention to the customer that cooler weather in the fall promotes fewer pest and disease problems as well. Be sure to stock up on these items and categories to maximize your fall planting and cleanup sales. Eaton Burlap 10x10 E10 2588 The Deer Are Here So Are The Panicked Customers Looking For Deer Repellents Ames Green Sweep Rake A42 19200 As you know fall signals an increase in white-tailed deer activity as well as many panicked customers who are looking for ways to keep the deer out of their gardens. Make sure you are well stocked up on these popular animal repellents. Liquid Fence Bonide L55 00109, 00112 - Liquid Fence® has a unique odor that actually trains animals to avoid the treated area, thus preventing damage. B70 238 - Actively repels vermin using natural ingredients. Protects plants and property up to 2 months after application. Jonathan Green Black Beauty 5 lb. J20 10318 Deer Stopper Deer Scram E72 1006 - An all-natural, biodegradable deer and rabbit repellent that guarantees to keep deer away from your landscape. Bobbex L51 B550170 - Stimulates plant growth and vitality, deer and other wildlife are turned away by the odor and taste M38 DS0032 - All natural. Protects plants by smell and taste, but dries clear and odor free, leaving no residue. Schultz 16 qt. Potting Soil S20 20316X Shake Away M06 8004520 - Creates the illusion that predators are present through the use of predator urine. Scotts Fall Classic 3 lb. S09 17580 Employee Spotlight Joyce Baugh, Arett’s Controller is relatively new to Arett having just arrived in April however she brings many years of experience in the accounting field. Joyce received her B.A. in accounting from Widener University and her M.B.A. from Rowan College. Joyce is responsible for overseeing the daily accounting operations at Arett Sales – accounts receivable, accounts payable and the general ledger. Joyce says, “What I like most about Arett is its people and customers.” Scotts 1 cu. ft. Premium S70 74351300X Scotts Turf Builder Winterguard S09 21805 Joyce resides in South Jersey with her husband of 15 years, Hank and her two sons, Jake 11 and Mark 9. Joyce and her family are major sports fans especially enjoying baseball, football and soccer. Joyce will be happy to assist you with any accounting needs that you have. She can be reached at ext. 292. Pg. 2 ~ Arett Newsletter • Vol. 1 ~ Autumn 2007 Espoma Bulb-Tone E60 BT25 Success Stories Must Have Spring Items R11 Gardman Contact you Arett Salesperson to see catalogues on these lines that were featured at Arett’s Open House 2007! D03 - Deroma: First Arett Show and Deroma is already a huge success. This Arett exclusive line of Italian pottery was the biggest success for the overall pottery groupings. T70 - Terra Verde: Arett’s Exclusive Private Label line of tools with brand new, upgraded packaging and program. A huge success, free displays helped make it easy for the dealer to set in the store. M11 - Michael Carr: This line of ceramic pottery, new and exclusive to Arett had a terrific Open House. R11 - Gardman: Dealers purchased double the amount of product they bought in 2006. The Gardman Elite Program, an Arett Exclusive, was the main driver of the success! M78 - Marchioro: Another Arett Exclusive, this beautiful line of rotation molded planters was a great hit. R90 - Ray Padula: Watering devices that conserve water, not waste it. Dealers had an overwhelming response to this entire line. T70 Terra Verde A17 - Aero Grow: This unique indoor herb garden system is great for 4th quarter sales, as well as all year. B29 - Bloom Master & P12 Primitive Planter: Planter lines which had an outstanding acceptance at the Arett Show. N42 - Nishikoi: A brand new product that makes a good compliment to sell with other fish foods. C70 & J70 - Crocs & Jibbits: Another Arett Exclusive, fun, unique and sell like hot cakes. Jibbits for Crocs are a must have for Spring. R34 - Rhino: Another Arett Exclusive. Straw blanket erosion control seed blanket, a surprisingly very successful program! Will be stocked in 2008. T82 - Tubtrugs: An Arett Exclusive seen all over England, this product is a must have for all garden centers. R90 Ray Padula Vol. 1 ~ Autumn 2007 • Arett Newsletter ~ Pg. 3 ARETT’S 1ST ANNUAL GOLF OUTING The Convention Center's own Vince Maven opened up the show with a sportsmen-like homage to America, The Star-Spangled Banner! Breakfast, 18 holes of golf, lunch and prizes at the Marriot Seaview Resort & Spa! PRIZES Grand Prize – Cancun, Mexico Russ Spotts at Spotts Garden Center in Medford, NJ Golfer’s Lounge Basket Agway of Dennis in South Dennis, MA Relaxation Basket Paul Vance at Ashcombe V & G Farm in Mechanicsburg, PA Grand Prize – Cancun, Mexico Adam’s Fairace Farm in Lake Katrine, NY 4 Phillies Tickets Rob Johnson at Pelletier Greenhouse in Fort Kent, ME Golfer’s Good’s Basket Jim Beall at Beall’s Greenhouse & Nursery in Pittsburgh, PA $100 Carmine’s Gift Certificate Peter Amato at Amato’s Nursery in S. Brunswick, NJ Cocktail Hour Basket #1 Frank Troelstra at Garden Time in Queensbury, NY Complimentary Stay at The Sheraton Barb Gardner at Distinctive Gardens in West Chester, PA Jed Riddell at Ricklin’s Hardware in Narberth, PA Gourmet Guru Basket David Dennison at Mammoth Cave Transplants in Brownsville, KY Business & Bites Basket Chris Wright at Rightway Nursery in Burlington, KY Mini Cocktail Basket Lynch’s Garden Center in Southampton, NY Tropical Fiesta Basket Secor Farms in Mahwah, NJ Complimentary Stay at The Tropicana-Havana Tower Kristen Haas at Rohr & Sons Nursery in Massillon, OH & Jamali Hardware & Garden Center in New York, NY Cocktail Hour Basket #2 Cocktail Hour Basket #3 Vern Moelius at Carl’s Equipment in Riverhead, NY Merry Martini Basket Oliver Paine Greenhouses in Fulton, NY Family Fun Basket Gallea Greenhouses in Pittsfield, NY Wino’s Delight Bosco’s Garden Center in Simsbury, CT Yard Golf Sherry Vicari at Building Center in Essex, MA & Doody & Son in Staten Island, NY Poker Night Basket Greg Carbone at The Blue Tree Garden Center in Norristown, PA Wine & Dine Basket Jim Zigmond at J & K Garden & Pet Supply in Great Barrington, MA A.C. Golf Package Harold Dambly at Dambly’s Garden Center in Berlin, NJ Pg. 4 ~ Arett Newsletter • Vol. 1 ~ Autumn 2007 Congratulations to all of the winners! h g i t l s h and E g i H vents! SHOPPING, SHOPPING AND MORE SHOPPING Customers Shopped Til They Dropped! FUN & GAMES AWARDS Trivia Game show on Sunday livened up the show! Arett Sales' Vendor of the Year Weber 2nd Place Best New Packaging Ray Padula 1st Place Best New Product Aero-Gro International 3rd Place Best New Product Scotts Company 1st Place Best New Packaging Enviro-Safe Laboratories 3rd Place Best New Packaging Perfectly Natural Solutions 2nd Place Best New Product Espoma The Philly Phanatic hits The Arett Open Vol. 1 ~ Autumn 2007 • Arett Newsletter ~ Pg. 5 Customer Spotlight Paul and Sandy’s Too, Pumpkintown USA How Paul and Sandy’s Too, a garden center in East Hampton, CT created a town that has become a favorite fall destination for kids and adults alike. Paul Peszynski started his business by selling produce on his property in 1954 off the back of an old pickup truck. Then together with his wife, Sandy Peszynski, they built a fruit and vegetable stand and later a store where they started selling sporting goods and toys. The store eventually branched out into a very successful hardware store and garden center, which it still is today. While traveling in 1990, Paul and Sandy came across a road side stand that had a few scarecrow type characters with pumpkins for heads. The couple was so taken by the idea that they created several pumpkin headed characters of their own at their own store the next fall. It was such a huge draw that they eventually created a town to house the pumpkin headed people, and Pumpkintown USA was born. Pumpkintown is just like any other small town in America. The town contains buildings including a Salon, Church, Farm, Jailhouse, Country Store, Bank, Post Office and more. Each building has a pumpkin headed person to represent the theme, Marty Melon is the fire chief outside the firehouse, Spud is the resident bad guy inside the jailhouse with Duke Dillon, the local Sheriff standing guard by the door. The town is comprised of 12 buildings and well over 50 pumpkin headed characters and animals, as well as the bright orange Pumpkintown Convertible and the one of a kind Pumpkin Mobile, a car in the shape of a giant pumpkin! Pumpkintown opens the third weekend in September and runs until Halloween, when they host a huge Trick or Treat parade and costume contest for all the local kids to enjoy. The hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, weather permitting. The admission to the village is a mere $2.00 per person on weekends and Columbus Day and free during the week. Weekend activities include a huge Pumpkin Moon bounce, Hay Maze, Face Painting and the very original Sling A Ding Game, a huge sling shot. Pumpkintown is not only a good gesture to the community that Paul’s and Sandy’s Too serves, but it is also a great traffic driver to their store where visitors can stock up on autumn flowers, gourds, cornstalks and everything else that screams fall. Paul and Sandy retired in 2004, when their children Dan, Jill and Karen took over the family business and have worked together to expand the business, including Pumpkintown. After a long battle with Breast Cancer, Sandy passed away in May of 2007 and the family is devoted to running Pumpkintown in her memory and honor for the many years to come. Pumpkintown USA is a great example of an independent garden center finding a way to increase business and create an effective community relations event by setting themselves apart from the competition and having fun too. Pg. 6 ~ Arett Newsletter • Vol. 1 ~ Autumn 2007 Best Practices... Your Company Culture What is your company culture? Here are a few values that could create a positive, powerful work environment and create increased sales: Remarkable Customer Service ~ wow the customer, give them more than they expect Entertainment Value ~ entertain the customers Trust ~ build trusting relationships with your customers Confidence ~ be sure your customers have confidence in your employees and your store Selection and Value ~ differentiate and add value to the customers shopping experience Respect ~ share a general feeling of respect with your employees and customers Creativity and Ingenuity ~ get everyone’s input on how to create new opportunities Take Risks ~ take calculated, informed risks and you will see a big payoff Sense of Urgency ~ have a “Do It Now” mentality Empowerment ~ empower employees to make informed decisions Fun ~ keep it fun – for your employees and your customers Tough Demanding Workload to Meet and Exceed Goals ~ retail is not easy – challenge yourself and everyone around you Never Lose a Sale ~ do not let the customer out of the store without being completely satisfied Best Practices... Sales Training No sale can be started without proper sales training and product knowledge training. There are many resources available to the store associate to get product knowledge training. Here are a few recommendations: Other employees ~ perhaps more can be learned by standing side by side with another employee and watch them help a customer. It is almost as good as completing the sale themselves. Customers ~ that’s right, learn from the customers. During the week in the morning when landscapers or professionals come in, ask them what they know, and learn from them. It is likely that you will be recommending the same products they use during the week, to retail customers on the weekend. Vendors ~ much can be learned by asking the manufacturer and distributor representatives to provide product knowledge classes to store associates. Most of the time, these people are well trained and knowledgeable about their products, and are very passionate about selling them. They will be more than willing to help. Package and POP ~ perhaps the easiest way to pick up learning between customers is to read the labels and point of purchase materials throughout the store. This could be done while stocking shelves or working with customers, or any time during the day. Manufacturers’ web site ~ this is a great source for not only product knowledge information, but information on the general topic for the product, as well as for material safety data sheets, related topics and much, much more. Some manufacturers even issue “diplomas” for completion! Vol. 1 ~ Autumn 2007 • Arett Newsletter ~ Pg. 7 ARETT SALES CHRISTMAS 2008 HOLIDAY SHOWROOM COMING SOON! WE’LL HAVE A BALL! • Wreaths & Garlands • Decorations & Accent Pieces • Inflatables • Fall Decorations Opens January 18th in Southern New Jersey TREES & LIGHTS HALLOWEEN • Ghouls, Ghosts & Goblins • Decorations & Accent Pieces • Inflatables • Animated Figures • Ribbons & Bows • Indoor/Outdoor Lights • Candle Lights Plus So Much More! Arett’s Prepared for Christmas - Are You? We carry these items in stock all year long. Arett Sales has made a commitment to stock the items listed below throughout the Christmas selling season. These items are the top sellers and should never be out of stock at store level either, as these items sell right up until Christmas. B67 CTB04 - Tree Bags 50 pack $55.00 B67 TS9405 - Tree Stands 6 pack $144.00 C28 C144, C28 C148, C28 C152 - Tree Stand 10 pack $113.00 E40 XTS3 - Tree Stand swivel straight - 1 pack $37.75 S09 70425 - 100 Multi-light set constant on - 6 pack $56.34 S09 70426 - 100 Clear light set constant on - 6 pack $56.34 1152 Marlkress Rd. Cherry Hill NJ 08003 outlook@arett.com COMING SOON! Premier Lawn, Garden and Outdoor Living Supply Distributor servicing 19 States: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Michigan. Pg. 8 ~ Arett Newsletter • Vol. 1 ~ Autumn 2007 S03 50231 - 22 ft. Outdoor Extension Cord - 12 pack $102.09 S03 56225 - 40 ft. Outdoor Extension Cord - 8 pack $90.46 P50 1501 - Prolong - 36 pack $45.00