Apr 20, 2017

Homeowners Want to Be Different When It Comes to Their Front Yard By Tim Hodson

According to the 2017 U.S. Houzz Landscaping Trends Survey, homeowners are making significant changes to their front yards, creating landscapes that are distinctly different from their neighbors.

The survey of 1,000 U.S. homeowners who are planning, or who recently completed an outdoor project, found only 6 percent of front yards are nearly identical to those in the neighborhood after outdoor projects, compared with 36 percent before the update.

Forty-one percent of the respondents said their new front yard is very or extremely different from others in the neighborhood post-update. While most outdoor projects take place in the back of the home (69 percent), nearly half involve street-facing spaces (44 percent).

And when it comes to the type of plants they want to purchase, they want to keep it simple. The study revealed an increased interest in low-maintenance plants (76 percent in 2017 versus 67 percent in 2015). The reason for this is most likely the fact that 80 percent of respondents are responsible for maintenance and care of their garden post-update.

Also gaining in popularity are insect/bird attractant plants (52 percent compared to 41 percent in 2015) and native plants (51 percent in 2017 versus 43 percent in 2015).

Motivations for starting a landscaping project have shifted in the last year, according to the survey. Having purchased a home and wanting to personalize it tops the list for the first time (33 percent in 2017 versus 25 percent in 2016).

“Home renovation activity is benefiting from the significant increase in home sales in 2015 and 2016, which is reflected in our findings on motivations for starting a landscape project,” said Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at Houzz.

You can find out more details about the 2017 U.S. Houzz Landscaping Trends Survey by clicking here.

— Tim

Wal-Mart Opens 100th Training Academy

Earlier this week, Wal-Mart celebrated the grand opening of its 100th training academy in the United States in Edmond, Oklahoma. Wal-Mart training academies were introduced in 2016 and have expanded to 40 states. The training academies are dedicated facilities where associates receive instruction on retail fundamentals and area-specific skills. Since the program launched, the curriculum has expanded training to cover more than 65 different positions in the company.

Whole Foods CEO Releases New Book

Whole Foods Market co-founder and CEO John Mackey recently released a new book, “The Whole Foods Diet: The Lifesaving Plan for Health and Longevity.” In the book, Mackey and co-authors Drs. Alona Pulde and Matthew Lederman, dispel nutritional myths and simplify complex medical science, health research and nutritional advice to help readers make more informed food choices and discover how The Whole Foods Diet helps promote health and longevity.

Home Depot Uses Blended Strategy to Meet Different Customer Needs

As online sales continue to climb for Home Depot, the retailer is still focusing its efforts on making the in-store experience a top priority. The goal is to help all customers, consumers or professional contractors, solve their problems when they come into the store, according to Kevin Hofmann, Depot’s chief marketing officer. The company’s commitment to customer service both online and in-store is helping drive sales, Hofmann says. He adds that the company’s slogan, “More Saving. More Doing.” also appeals to both groups as the company strives to be “an everyday, low-price place.”