One of my earliest rants (over two years ago) was about Target's "vanishing Garden Centers". At the time, I lamented the fact that two of the three Target stores in my area had eliminated their Garden Centers, and only one I knew of still carried fresh plants, flowers, herbs, potting supplies, and garden accessories year-round. Well unfortunately, that's about to change with breaking news that Target intends to phase out all of its garden sections nationwide.
The move is part of a plan to increase the company's focus on its grocery offerings. The garden section is being planned for elimination by September.
"After careful review and consideration, Target has decided to close our Garden Centers," according to a statement from a Target spokeswoman. "This is no longer a profitable business for us and does not provide significant value to our guests. The effective close date for our Garden Centers will be late September. In the meantime, we will operate our business as usual throughout the spring and summer season."
This news makes me so sad, and I couldn't disagree more with this Target spokesperson about the Garden Center not 'providing value to Target guests'. What I loved about Target's Garden Center is that they often stocked unique plants that I wouldn't normally have found in the sea of offerings at other big box stores like Home Depot or OSH. Yes, Target's Garden Center was small and compact, but that's what I liked about it; the plants and accessories were always attractively displayed and not just stacked in rows like a traditional plant nursery. Plus, having the Garden Center at Target saved me a trip to another store when I needed to pick up some more potting soil or a gift plant like an Easter Lily or Orchid. I guess if the endeavor wasn't profitable for Target, I can understand that... but I still don't have to like the decision.
8 comments:
I live in Nashville, TN and I can't remember a time when any of our Target stores ever had a Garden Center.
I live 15 minutes from 3 Targets and 30 minutes from an additional 3. I've never seen a Garden Center in a Target.
so sad to hear. i used to get my xmas trees from there.
We had one near us with a Garden Center...it closed that section years ago, which makes me sad because I bought all my gardening goodies there...
I wonder what they are going to do with the space? Ours is so clearly a whole separate building just for the garden center. I have seen some attached, and those would be easy to close down, but what a waste of space at ours!! Plus, where am I getting my christmas tree now BOO HOO!!!
Elizabeth, I feel your pain! I'm not sure what they'll do with your Garden Center, since it's a separate buildings. I've never seen one like that; the ones I've seen are a semi-enclosed (atrium-type) space attached to the main building, and usually the entrance to the Garden Center is next to the main entrance of the store. From what I've read, they are going to use the extra space to expand their grocery sections.
Thanks for the update. I was trying to find a target garden center since the one near by closed. In the late fall-early winter mine ALWAYS had the most beautiful, best priced, cyclamen around.
Dear Target Addict,
I'm writing a story about Target's decision to shutter its garden centers. Would you be willing to let me interview you today (July 28) for the story? If so, please contact me ASAP.
Stephanie Hoops
Business Writer
Ventura County Star | VCStar.com
(805) 437-0265
Post a Comment