Garden centre has room to bloom

AGARDEN CENTRE ripe for growth is for sale in New Plymouth. Palmers New Plymouth, at 680 Devon Rd, is part of a 14-store North Island garden centre franchise that’s independently owned and operated.

‘‘This is a well-established profitable business with potential for growth in a province that is famous for spectacular gardens,’’ says Paula Moore, of Link Business, who is marketing Palmers New Plymouth with Laurel McCulloch.

‘‘Taranaki’s great growing conditions and strong, diverse economy make it conducive for this garden centre business.’’

Moore says that Palmers New Plymouth is prominently located on the main state highway in and out of New Plymouth to the north, with more than 30,000 vehicles passing it each day.

‘‘Palmers New Plymouth is in a retail park with complementary businesses and is fully accessible with plenty of free parking.’’

She says the garden centre was established 27 years ago and is renowned for its horticultural expertise and knowledge, and range of quality plants.

‘‘It well-stocked and caters for not just experienced gardeners and those new to gardening but also landscapers and contractors.’’

Inside Palmers New Plymouth is Cafe Botannix which, in conjunction with a large, homeware, gift, and outdoor-living department, increases customer numbers and encourages longer in-store visits leading to higher customer spend, Moore says.

‘‘This is a resilient and high-performing business with two cost centres – garden centre and cafe; and four revenue streams: green goods, dry goods, home decor/gifts and food and beverage.’’

‘‘This diversity helps smooth seasonality and drives sales and turnover throughout the year,’’ McCulloch says.

‘‘Palmers New Plymouth is more than a garden centre.

‘‘It is a destination shopping, cafe and inspiration experience.’’

Palmers New Plymouth trades from 8.30am-5.30pm daily.

Events including the New Plymouth Floral Art Awards, fashion shows, gardening demonstrations, live music, and children’s activities occur during and after store opening hours.

‘‘There are opportunities for more in- store events for gardeners and a wider audience to enhance the store’s appeal to both loyal and new customers,’’ Moore says.

Palmers’ rewards loyalty programme has 6200 signed up in Taranaki.

‘‘This is a great marketing tool to communicate with many customers at once, Moore says.

McCulloch says the vendors have redeveloped and grown the business over the past six years and there is strong potential for further growth through expanding outdoor living and leisure categories, such as barbecues, outdoor furniture and spa pools.

‘‘Increasing the Cafe Botannix footprint and number of covers, extended cafe opening hours, increased out-catering, and expanding the menu with a liquor license would also contribute to growth.’’

The business has an asking price of $770,000 (including stock).

❚ For more information, contact: Laurel McCulloch on 021 786 813 (laurelm@linkbusiness.co.nz) or Paula Moore on 021 334 699 (paulam@linkbusiness.co.nz).