EW! ONE OF TRTC FACILITIES RECEIVES AWARD! WOW I think this might be the 3rd year in a row they achieved this amazing award.
2014 Revolutionary 100 Garden Centers: Gro-Rite Greenhouse & Garden Center
Owners: David and Gerda VandeVrede
City: Lincoln Park, N.J.
Website: GroRite.com
Years In Business: 40
Locations: 1
Size: Retail – 8 acres, growing – 2.5 acres, landscape – 2 acre
Sales Range: $3 million – $4,999,999
What Makes You Revolutionary?
GroRite is selling fresh, local produce under the brand name Edible Garden, in addition to continuing to provide premier landscape, greenhouse, florist, and nursery services to clients across New Jersey. Now customers can enjoy GroRite’s locally-grown produce known as Edible Garden, which includes a variety of greens and lettuces, and strawberries, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon and eggplant. Under the Edible Garden brand, local supermarkets and chefs from area restaurants also source local fruit and vegetables from GroRite’s 2.5 acres of greenhouses.
GroRite is always incorporating fresh and interesting marketing ideas. It employs interactive social media outlets as part of its marketing strategy , including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare and Pinterest. GroRite also leverages the latest mobile marketing. It can keep in constant contact with customers via texting. Customers receive gardening tips, current sales specials and have the ability to text GroRite any of their gardening questions. GroRite’s mobile marketing also includes the creation of its own app for mobile devices. It allows customers to view deals, gardening information, tips, and enables customers to interact with GroRite in real-time.
GroRite uses its marketing to provide optimum customer service . Every customer is asked how they prefer to be communicated to and GroRite then customizes their marketing accordingly. For example, after each delivery, customers are contacted to ensure they are satisfied. They also receive post-delivery information, such as coupons and additional information on related items
To enhance and customize GroRite customers’ experience, a new point-of-sale system and accounting software was installed. It enables GroRite to receive inventory, print tags, email customers their purchase history and streamline inventory. The point-of-sale system also automatically eMails customers with information and deals on their prior purchases.
Another way GroRite is elevating their customer service is through personal shoppers who can service customers with a mobile scanner . In addition to shopping, this personal service also allows customers to pay and have their order delivered or loaded into their vehicle. It provides ease, convenience and a more personal shopping experience. Additionally, GroRite is in the process of creating an onsite lounge with televisions, where customers can relax while their waiting on their order. There will also be a playground area for children.
How Do You Go About Gaining New Customers?
To gain new customers we now have a booth at several farmers markets in the local towns, handing out info about our Lincoln Park store and our locally grown produce. This has been a great success. We also send direct mail postcards to new areas and towns. We thought we would get a greater ROI, though. For 2014, we are going to start a new marketing idea . If a existing customer refers a friend, we send them a gift card. We found that the best ROI is to spend the time and effort on your existing customer base , and they will spread the word.
Marketing messages: Gro your garden the rite way! Simply local. Simply Fresh.
2014 Revolutionary 100 Garden Centers: Gro-Rite Greenhouse & Garden Center
Owners: David and Gerda VandeVrede
City: Lincoln Park, N.J.
Website: GroRite.com
Years In Business: 40
Locations: 1
Size: Retail – 8 acres, growing – 2.5 acres, landscape – 2 acre
Sales Range: $3 million – $4,999,999
What Makes You Revolutionary?
GroRite is selling fresh, local produce under the brand name Edible Garden, in addition to continuing to provide premier landscape, greenhouse, florist, and nursery services to clients across New Jersey. Now customers can enjoy GroRite’s locally-grown produce known as Edible Garden, which includes a variety of greens and lettuces, and strawberries, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon and eggplant. Under the Edible Garden brand, local supermarkets and chefs from area restaurants also source local fruit and vegetables from GroRite’s 2.5 acres of greenhouses.
GroRite is always incorporating fresh and interesting marketing ideas. It employs interactive social media outlets as part of its marketing strategy , including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare and Pinterest. GroRite also leverages the latest mobile marketing. It can keep in constant contact with customers via texting. Customers receive gardening tips, current sales specials and have the ability to text GroRite any of their gardening questions. GroRite’s mobile marketing also includes the creation of its own app for mobile devices. It allows customers to view deals, gardening information, tips, and enables customers to interact with GroRite in real-time.
GroRite uses its marketing to provide optimum customer service . Every customer is asked how they prefer to be communicated to and GroRite then customizes their marketing accordingly. For example, after each delivery, customers are contacted to ensure they are satisfied. They also receive post-delivery information, such as coupons and additional information on related items
To enhance and customize GroRite customers’ experience, a new point-of-sale system and accounting software was installed. It enables GroRite to receive inventory, print tags, email customers their purchase history and streamline inventory. The point-of-sale system also automatically eMails customers with information and deals on their prior purchases.
Another way GroRite is elevating their customer service is through personal shoppers who can service customers with a mobile scanner . In addition to shopping, this personal service also allows customers to pay and have their order delivered or loaded into their vehicle. It provides ease, convenience and a more personal shopping experience. Additionally, GroRite is in the process of creating an onsite lounge with televisions, where customers can relax while their waiting on their order. There will also be a playground area for children.
How Do You Go About Gaining New Customers?
To gain new customers we now have a booth at several farmers markets in the local towns, handing out info about our Lincoln Park store and our locally grown produce. This has been a great success. We also send direct mail postcards to new areas and towns. We thought we would get a greater ROI, though. For 2014, we are going to start a new marketing idea . If a existing customer refers a friend, we send them a gift card. We found that the best ROI is to spend the time and effort on your existing customer base , and they will spread the word.
Marketing messages: Gro your garden the rite way! Simply local. Simply Fresh.
