Garden Centre/Retail Nurseryperson
These are people who sell plants to the public. They sometimes propagate and grow some of the plants they sell, but selling is their focus, not production. They may also sell associated products, such as potting media, pots, fertilisers and pest control chemicals; any of which can become “add on sales,” increasing the amount of income that can be generated when they sell a plant to a customer.
Daily work priorities must always be to care for the plants first. If plants begin to look poorly, dry out, become infected - or worse - die, reputation will slide and the viability of the nursery is threatened.
Staff need to inspect plants, eliminate any signs of dead or diseased tissue, remove weeds, prune off unsightly growth, water plants, or remove plants that are no longer worthy of floor space, ensure paths are not slippery (remove algae), make sure aisles or paths are not obstructed, ensure non-living stock is topped up and presentable on shelves, etc. Beyond this, they need to be observant of any clientele who enter the nursery, and proactive in applying subtle sales techniques to servicing the customers.
Where T
hey Work
Retail nurseries can be small or large, and can be departments within larger retailers. Large hardware stores often have a garden centre attached, and sometimes a production nursery may also have a retail section.
Retail nurseries will traditionally generate most of their
income from plant sales. Product knowledge is crucial. If you can talk
about the plants you have a greater ability to sell them.
Retail nurseries employ staff to maintain and sell the plants they stock.