February, 2025
Sales Update – Spring is Around the Corner!
Dear HCxCHG Team,
As we move past the holiday season, we now find ourselves in the final stretch of winter, with spring fast approaching! The first day of spring, March 22nd, will be here before we know it, signaling the peak of the live goods selling season.
Our growers are diligently preparing their plants for their customer base, and our teams here at HCxCHG are working hard to produce the containers that will support them in bringing the joy of spring planting to market. This collaborative effort ensures that when the season arrives, we are fully prepared to meet customer demand and uphold our commitments. While the busiest period for the grower sales team typically spans June through October, we remain actively engaged in assisting customers with order fulfillment, responding to unexpected product needs, and providing solutions to supply chain challenges. Our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and operational efficiency sets us apart in the market.
On the retail front, this time of year is particularly active, as many retailers conduct line reviews and finalize their plans for 2026 assortments. Home Depot continues to rely on us for innovative, trend-forward designs, and we are also strengthening our relationships with Target, Fred Meyer, Menards, and other prospective retail partners. These dynamic conversations position us well for continued growth in the retail planter space. Our proactive approach to retail engagement is yielding significant opportunities, and we are excited about the potential for expansion in this segment. Staying ahead of trends and understanding consumer preferences remain top priorities, enabling us to bring fresh and compelling products to market.
We are also in the process of upgrading our eCommerce listings and developing a strategic marketing plan and product roadmap designed to significantly grow our online business across multiple platforms. Ann Marie Fox has been working diligently with internal and external partners to drive this initiative forward. If you have the opportunity, take a moment to explore the latest updates on Amazon and see firsthand the great work being done. This investment in our digital presence will be instrumental in expanding our reach and driving future sales.
Beyond these immediate initiatives, we have spent the past couple of months evaluating our business strategies to refine our approach, enhance our competitive position, and deliver even greater value to our customers. Looking ahead, several key initiatives will guide our success:
- Joint Business Planning with Distribution Partners: Strengthening partnerships with our distributors by aligning on customer plans and identifying key opportunities for growth. Through strategic planning sessions, data-driven insights, and a shared commitment to success, we are ensuring that we work collaboratively to achieve our business goals.
- Standardized Reporting and Business Reviews: Introducing streamlined, standardized reporting and structured processes to facilitate consistent progress tracking. By refining our internal systems, we are enhancing transparency, accountability, and overall efficiency in our sales operations.
- Customer Target Focus: Establishing best practices for identifying and capitalizing on the most significant market growth opportunities, particularly among growers that serve the largest retailers. Our ability to strategically target and nurture key customer segments will be a critical driver of our long-term expansion.
- Quote Quality and Quickness – The 3 Q’s: Enhancing our ability to win competitive sales opportunities through high-quality, rapid quote turnarounds. Speed and accuracy in quoting are essential to securing new business, and we are committed to refining our processes to maximize responsiveness and effectiveness.
- Churn Return Strategy: Developing targeted strategies to reclaim business that has shifted to competitors in recent years. By analyzing past losses and implementing proactive initiatives, we aim to recapture lost market share and strengthen customer relationships.
As we move forward, it is important to recognize the outstanding efforts of our sales team. We deeply appreciate the valuable insights and feedback you have provided to refine our go-to-market strategy. Your dedication and contributions are key to shaping our success. Sales success is a shared achievement—driven by a winning mindset and a culture of collaboration. Our commitment to innovation, customer service, and operational excellence remains steadfast, and we are excited to build upon our strong foundation.
The opportunities ahead are promising, and we are eager to embark on a successful season together. Thank you for your continued hard work and dedication to excellence.
November, 2024
Our sales team continues to work hard to make this season a success! I want to take a moment to highlight the amazing progress happening across our company. We’ve got a lot to be proud of as we continue to make waves, from coast to coast, in a competitive market. As Bob mentioned, it’s been a short few months since we aligned HC X CHG. Time flies when you’re working to conquer the industry, right? This merger has turned out to be a gamechanger. Our combined strengths are giving us a major edge, and we’re winning in places that really matter, especially with key partners like Home Depot and other key retail customers. It’s not just retail where we’re seeing wins. Our grower and distribution customers have been paying attention to what we’re offering, and the feedback has been fantastic. They love the variety and quality we’re bringing to the table, and they’re reaping the benefits of our combined company’s muscle. We are working hard to become the go-to supplier for many of our customers, and they’re already seeing how the expanded product range and innovation helps their businesses grow. I guess you could say, we’re planting seeds of success (pun intended)! Across the country, our sales teams are doing phenomenal work. From securing new partnerships to strengthening existing ones, your hustle and determination are making all the difference. It’s no easy feat to keep pushing in such a competitive environment, but they’re doing it, and they’re doing it well. If I could high-five every one of them, I would. But for now, let’s settle for a virtual one. As we look ahead, I know the challenges will keep coming, but we’re not in the business of backing down. The future is bright, and we’re in a great position to finish this year on a high note. With our combined capabilities, there’s no doubt we’ll continue to win more business, strengthen our relationships, and grow our market share. After all, who doesn’t love being part of the best supplier in the game? In the meantime, let’s keep building our momentum together. Stay sharp, stay focused, and maybe drink a few extra pumpkin spice lattes if that helps fuel your drive! We’ve got a lot to look forward to, and I’m confident that with everyone’s dedication and hard work, we’re set up for even greater success. Thanks again for all you’re doing. We need every division and department to be successful in sales and you’re the secret sauce behind this whole operation. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this amazing team.