How plant nurseries and garden centres can optimise operations with technology

According to the Horticultural Trade Association, over two-thirds of British citizens visit a garden centre every year. With the demand for houseplants, gardening supplies, and outdoor décor remaining a steady part of consumers’ lives in the UK, nurseries face increasing pressure to transform their processes with modern technologies that can support the expectations of today’s customers.

Here are four ways plant nurseries and garden centres can leverage technology to optimise their operations and plant the seeds for long-term success.

1. Letting the system take care of reordering the right products when needed

Managing inventory can be one of the most challenging aspects of running a nursery.

With a complex mix of durable goods like gardening tools and live items that require specific conditions, like seeds and plants, tracking what’s in stock, what’s selling, and what needs to be reordered is almost impossible through manual practices. Without an accurate overview of their inventory, nurseries leave themselves vulnerable to overstocking errors or stockouts that can greatly impact sales.

Automated replenishment systems are crucial for nurseries because they help eliminate the guesswork in restocking, reduce waste that comes from overordering, and ensure that fresh products like live plants are always available without risking spoilage.

By analysing sales trends and inventory levels, automated replenishment systems can quickly identify when stock needs to be replenished, and in what quantities, enabling nurseries to forecast demand and keep their shelves stocked with the right products.

2. Giving a consistently great experience online and in person

Customers today expect a consistent shopping experience with their favourite retailers, whether they’re shopping in-store or online. They want the convenience of redeeming loyalty rewards across all channels, checking stock availability at their preferred location, and accessing the same product selection everywhere.

For plant nurseries, it's essential to have a system that unifies online and physical stores, making the shopping experience more convenient for customers. This means they should be able to check online for the availability of specific plants or tools in-store, place orders for Click and Collect, or even schedule delivery for larger items like pots and soil. Creating smooth communication between these channels not only enhances customer satisfaction but also makes it easier for the retailer to manage sales and returns.

A great example of a retailer uniting their channels successfully with technology is the Royal Horticultural Society, the UK’s leading garden charity. Since linking their online and offline channels, they’ve seen a remarkable 300-400% increase in online sales.

3. Personalising guest rewards

According to a recent State of Customer Engagement report, 71% of consumers in the UK say that personalised experiences increase their loyalty to a brand. To meet increasing demand for personalisation, plant nurseries must be able to offer their customers recommendations and promotions based on their unique shopping habits and preferences.

Loyalty programmes are a powerful way to encourage repeat visits and build lasting relationships with customers. By leveraging customer data, nurseries can offer discounts on a customer’s favourite item or exclusive deals during key gardening seasons.

For example, a customer who regularly purchases succulents might receive a special offer on decorative pots, while a loyal shopper who frequents the café could be invited to a tasting event. This kind of personalisation shows customers that their preferences are valued, enabling them to put more trust in the businesses they choose to shop with and return as a result.

4. Uniting the business with a single system

To successfully optimise operations, garden centres and plant nurseries need software that meets their specific needs. Businesses relying on multiple separate systems - one for sales, another for purchasing, a third one for café sales, and yet another for back-office functions - often struggle to gain a clear overview of their data. Indirect, or inexistent communication between systems can lead to errors, such as selling items that are out of stock or displaying incorrect prices.

To avoid these mistakes, plant nurseries require a single, unified system that brings all aspects of their business together on one platform. Take Chessington Garden Centre, a family owned business in Surrey. Since switching to a comprehensive retail software solution, Chessington has been able to centrally update items, prices, and promotions across their entire operation.

“We now have a single and accurate viewpoint of business operations, which has allowed us to plan more effectively, assess stock, and phase out non-profitable items,” said Tim Hickman, IT Manager at Chessington.

As consumer expectations evolve, switching to more modern software solutions is no longer a luxury but a necessity for plant nurseries and garden centres looking to thrive in the competitive UK market. By automating key processes, connecting sales channels, and personalizing customer interactions, nurseries can optimise their workflows, boost loyalty, and prepare for sustainable growth.

 Want to know how you can prepare your business today for the demands of tomorrow? Contact experts at LS Retail to learn more about how our point of sale and retail management software solutions can help.