There are very few items sold in the garden center that we go to the effort of researching into product specifications, quality, and warranty/guarantee. Consumers are attracted to unique design elements and certainly packaging and color, but are they looking beyond these? Here are specific products that are sold in the garden center that should receive consideration from owner/buyers to satisfy a growing trend in meeting a higher expectation from the purchaser on performance needs.
Bend Me, Shape Me…and Please Don’t Break
One of the more commonly sold products in our garden centers is the garden hose. It provides a way to take water from the spigot to the source or task. There are many chores from watering lawns, filling pools, washing cars, draining objects, and extending run off. Did you know that there are different types of garden hoses with a wide range of performance, sizes, and composition? The quality of the hose is usually measured by light duty, medium duty, and heavy-duty types along with a varied range of burst strengths, and temperatures. Most common garden hose failures are due to using a non-specific hose that is not intended for any and all uses under any weather condition. Attraction to only a cheaply priced hose can lead to a replacement sooner than expected by your customer. Stock and sell the best suited garden hoses (and its warranty) for your customer base and their needs.
Beauty Beyond Skin Depth
Garden hoses are made from reinforced vinyl or rubber. Vinyl hoses have multiple layers of rubber, vinyl, and nylon reinforcement cords surrounding all components. These cord reinforcements are referred to as ply. The same type of technology used when making vehicle tires. The higher the ply of a hose, it also increases the life of the hose as well. Gilmour manufactures their premium Flexogen and Flexogen Pro hose with 8-ply construction which is among the highest in the industry! It is designed to resist scuffing, abrasion, staining and is UV protected against the sun. No surprise in that it receives a lifetime warranty for purchasers. Companies like Flexon, use high quality recycled materials in their products with warranties up to 10 years. Heat or excess temperatures degrade the integrity of strength in hoses which causes many to burst or break. Many hoses kink and shut off water supply because of this. Most all contractor and heavy-duty hoses have crush proof couplings and increased burst strengths to handle pressure. Cold weather can also break or crack many reinforced types, which is why the year-round rubber hose is a better choice. Rubber hoses can also be water saving due to its inner depth. Dramm manufactures one of the highest quality retail rubber hoses on the market with a smaller opening to reduce product fatigue and conserve water flow. Growers have come to rely on Dramm professional hose as the best in the biz! Retailers also are finding out that their clientele are buying Dramm hose for more than just its bright color, too!
Proud to Be American
Another purchasing consideration for both owner/buyer and the consumer, is where the products are manufactured. The movement of today’s news and research from consumer feedback continues to drive pressure in buying and selling American made products in our retail store environments. Make sure you identify these companies and their products at the shelf or display. Dramm and Flexon have manufactured their hose products in the USA for many years. No pressure, just satisfied customers!
Bend Me, Shape Me…and Please Don’t Break
One of the more commonly sold products in our garden centers is the garden hose. It provides a way to take water from the spigot to the source or task. There are many chores from watering lawns, filling pools, washing cars, draining objects, and extending run off. Did you know that there are different types of garden hoses with a wide range of performance, sizes, and composition? The quality of the hose is usually measured by light duty, medium duty, and heavy-duty types along with a varied range of burst strengths, and temperatures. Most common garden hose failures are due to using a non-specific hose that is not intended for any and all uses under any weather condition. Attraction to only a cheaply priced hose can lead to a replacement sooner than expected by your customer. Stock and sell the best suited garden hoses (and its warranty) for your customer base and their needs.
Beauty Beyond Skin Depth
Garden hoses are made from reinforced vinyl or rubber. Vinyl hoses have multiple layers of rubber, vinyl, and nylon reinforcement cords surrounding all components. These cord reinforcements are referred to as ply. The same type of technology used when making vehicle tires. The higher the ply of a hose, it also increases the life of the hose as well. Gilmour manufactures their premium Flexogen and Flexogen Pro hose with 8-ply construction which is among the highest in the industry! It is designed to resist scuffing, abrasion, staining and is UV protected against the sun. No surprise in that it receives a lifetime warranty for purchasers. Companies like Flexon, use high quality recycled materials in their products with warranties up to 10 years. Heat or excess temperatures degrade the integrity of strength in hoses which causes many to burst or break. Many hoses kink and shut off water supply because of this. Most all contractor and heavy-duty hoses have crush proof couplings and increased burst strengths to handle pressure. Cold weather can also break or crack many reinforced types, which is why the year-round rubber hose is a better choice. Rubber hoses can also be water saving due to its inner depth. Dramm manufactures one of the highest quality retail rubber hoses on the market with a smaller opening to reduce product fatigue and conserve water flow. Growers have come to rely on Dramm professional hose as the best in the biz! Retailers also are finding out that their clientele are buying Dramm hose for more than just its bright color, too!
Proud to Be American
Another purchasing consideration for both owner/buyer and the consumer, is where the products are manufactured. The movement of today’s news and research from consumer feedback continues to drive pressure in buying and selling American made products in our retail store environments. Make sure you identify these companies and their products at the shelf or display. Dramm and Flexon have manufactured their hose products in the USA for many years. No pressure, just satisfied customers!
