How Lawn & Garden Retail Has Evolved, and What Still Wins 

Spring has always been the defining season for lawn and garden retailers. For 75 years, we’ve seen products change, customer expectations shift, and stores adapt to new buying habits, but one thing has stayed the same: retailers who plan early and execute consistently outperform when demand peaks. 

Then vs. Now: What’s Changed 

In earlier decades, spring selling was driven by a narrower set of staple products and a more uniform customer path through the store. Today, customers are more project-focused, more informed, and more selective. They expect clear solutions, strong value at multiple price points, and confidence that the products they need are in stock when weather windows open. 

Retail execution has changed with that shift: 

• Merchandising has moved from product-first to project-first. 

• Replenishment has become more frequent and data driven. 

• Promotions are more targeted, seasonal, and mission based. 

What Hasn’t Changed 

Across every generation of spring seasons, the same core principles continue to drive results: 

• Strong in-stock position on core, high-turn essentials 

• Clear merchandising that makes decisions easier for shoppers 

• Fast weekly adjustments as weather and traffic patterns shift 

• Trusted relationships between retailers, vendors, and distributor teams 

These principles built successful stores decades ago, and they still define strong spring performance now. 

The 2026 Spring Takeaway 

As lawn and garden retail continues to evolve, the advantage goes to teams that combine proven fundamentals with agile execution. The opportunity in March and April is not just to sell more, but to build momentum that carries through the entire season. 

For 75 years, we’ve been proud to grow alongside our partners, and this spring is another chance to put that legacy into action, one well-executed week at a time.