What do you look for in a Grow Store..

With the boom in medical marijuana and dispensaries opening me and my partner are looking into opening a grow store. We are trying to find a way to separate us from all the other grow stores and would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

I find that nearly all grow stores are the same. Plain white walls, drab, and never a price tag on anything. We'd like to start a place that is a little more welcoming. Add a little color to the walls, play some music, and make sure all prices are clearly marked.

Some quick ideas we have so far.

-a whole section of the store for how to clinics. A lot of new growers are getting started and I think a simple how to build an ebb and flow clinic would be appreciated

-frequent shoppers program. We're thinking every 5th bottle of fertilizer is 50% off.
Any ideas would be appreciated

I'd be happy with a dungeon if the people that worked there didn't look so - unsavory. I don't care if it looks drab and utilitarian like a farm store. It "is" a farm store. I'd be careful about doing any kind of education, and I would shy away from anyplace that did. If I had a choice in stores, I would go where the people seemed more professional, were knowledgeable, and didn't try to bullshit me. I think if more grow stores crop up, we will see 2 basic kinds, the one I just described as a farm store with serious people, and an "indoor gardening boutique" all decorated and upscale looking.

Thanks for the input. We would be looking at more of a boutique style. Nothing fancy just a step up from what is currently out there. Well stocked shelves that are neat and clean, and some display models up so that you can really look at the products. Do you have any boutique style shops in your area? We would like to go check some out, so I'm thinking a trip to California is in the planning. I would love some suggestions of places to check out. For the education part, I think it's similar to this board. There are a lot of newbies out there that need some hand holding. I can't tell you how many times I explain stuff to customers while I'm visiting a store, because the employees are too busy or just plain lazy. I'd love to be able to say we're having a tutorial on building an ebb and flow system, or proper ventilation. The hope would be that we help the newbies out, treat them right and create long term customers.

Is your potential clientele the type that will go to upsacle stores to look and kick tires then go to a discount store to buy? Unless you are in a money is no object area, I would worry about that. Again, I think the people create the step up, not the trappings.

Per illegal's point, it's all about what clientele you're looking to get. Do you want newbies who will buy anything, or do you want people who know what they want/need, and are simply looking for the best price? IMHO, the tutorials and whatnot are "kinda" a waste of time - if it was me, I'd be looking at the other "students" and playing "Guess the Narc", honestly - with the Internet, the value-added of that kind of customer service is seriously reduced, IMO. Speaking only for me, when I go to the hydro store, I've already done the required research and know exactly what I want, so it comes down to price for me - there's only one store in my area (within ten miles of me, there's tons if I want to go further), but if there were 2, I'd go to the one with the best prices/selection. I don't want or need advice from sales guys, honestly (although I do love free samples). Just my $.02.

grow products...hehe

having a good selection of grow products, good prices, and a good location. Make sure you have an easy to use website, i like looking up before i make the drive. One chain of grow shops in my area is called "Brew n Grow" and they sell all the grow stuff you may need, but also sell homebrewing equipment for people who make beer and wine at home. Im sure that helps keep the revenue flowing during the slow gardening/heavy drinking months of dec/jan/feb. (it gets really cold here, you cali people just dont know) I was at a party drinking homebrewed beer with some friends last week, and it turns out they bought their hops and malt from the same place i get my soil and nutrients! The word of mouth advertisement really helps, and homegrowers and homebrewers rock. And since brewing beer is not illegal, federal or state law, you look like a more legitimate business in the eyes of the square community. The extra expected revenue from the homebrew products looks good on a business plan, and just may the difference between getting funding or not.

I've heard of Brew and Grow before. They have a good reputation across the country. I also agree with the website. Only one local store has a high quality website that lists prices. It shows in the business they do, they usually have 5 employees working at a time and keep real busy.

I know not all people are not interested in classes and education but I think a lot are. It has to do with the fact that thousands of medical cards are being issue each month here. There are a lot of clueless newbs.

At the same time I know that the commercial size growers have different demands. They want a lot of stock on hand and good prices. I don't see any problem with providing that. With all the business going on there isn't much price competition. Some of the local stores just hand you the sunlight supply catalog if you have a price question. They don't budge off the suggested retail price because they don't have to, business is booming.

I'm repeating myself but my personal pet peeves about the local stores are
-lack of customer service (one store doesn't even unpack the products they just stay piled up in a corner)
-lack of pricing (they don't put prices on anything then act annoyed when I have to ask them about 10 different prices)
-cleanliness and atmosphere (It's a becoming a legitimate business growing by leaps and bounds. There is no reason not to provide the same amenities as any other retail business. Growers deserve the same respect as any other customer spending their hard earned money)

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Thanks again for all the input. I really appreciate it.

I think the most important thing is not have a 50% or more markup on your prices. every grow shop around me charges astronomical prices. Makes me just want to shop online rather than getting screwed locally

Illegal Smile said:

I'd be happy with a dungeon if the people that worked there didn't look so - unsavory. I don't care if it looks drab and utilitarian like a farm store. It "is" a farm store. I'd be careful about doing any kind of education, and I would shy away from anyplace that did. If I had a choice in stores, I would go where the people seemed more professional, were knowledgeable, and didn't try to bullshit me. I think if more grow stores crop up, we will see 2 basic kinds, the one I just described as a farm store with serious people, and an "indoor gardening boutique" all decorated and upscale looking.

Click to expand...

We have 2 types here. The one that I usually go to has good prices and it's run by a friendly older couple and a clean cut college kid who is actually the most knowledgable of all the them. They never really bother me unless I ask them a question. If you didnt' know where the store was, you would never notice it.

The other one is a little more trendy, and has mostly college kids working there. It's a little more expensive, and carries a lot of high end products which is good sometimes, but they're always trying to sell me something. I never frequent any hydro/garden store I go to for a reason. I think they're under the assumption that nobody has a clue what they're doing except them. I guess I don't look the part enough for them, but that's the point. Maybe I should wear a dead shirt next time and they'll leave me alone. I know exactly what I'm there for 99% of the time, and will usually walk straight to it, pick it up, maybe look at nutrients for a sec, and then check out. At this point they're telling me how these other products could benefit me. I really appreciate their concern, but "I ALREADY HAVE THAT THANKS!!!,....can I have my change?" is what's running through my head. Quit trying to sell me shit.

doitinthewoods said:

We have 2 types here. The one that I usually go to has good prices and it's run by a friendly older couple and a clean cut college kid who is actually the most knowledgable of all the them. They never really bother me unless I ask them a question. If you didnt' know where the store was, you would never notice it.

The other one is a little more trendy, and has mostly college kids working there. It's a little more expensive, and carries a lot of high end products which is good sometimes, but they're always trying to sell me something. I never frequent any hydro/garden store I go to for a reason. I think they're under the assumption that nobody has a clue what they're doing except them. I guess I don't look the part enough for them, but that's the point. Maybe I should wear a dead shirt next time and they'll leave me alone. I know exactly what I'm there for 99% of the time, and will usually walk straight to it, pick it up, maybe look at nutrients for a sec, and then check out. At this point they're telling me how these other products could benefit me. I really appreciate their concern, but "I ALREADY HAVE THAT THANKS!!!,....can I have my change?" is what's running through my head. Quit trying to sell me shit.

Click to expand...

Agree 100%.

For a knowledgeable customer, prices and selection are really all that matter.

The Price thing for sure!!! Same prob in my local store, I was just there with my buddy a few weeks ago and we had to ask them the prices for everything and the lady was all annoyed, lol. And def a big thing is a GOOD online catalog, I always like to check things out online before I buy them.