Judy Sharpton - Keynote Speaker

Program Number 1 – 2 hours - The Twelve Most Common Store Development Problems

Based on work in dozens of retail garden centers over more than 15 years of non-bulldozer store renovation projects, this program will outline the twelve most common store level “obstructures” and how to renovate for greater customer-merchandise contact, without a bulldozer. You’ll be asked to identify one renovation opportunity from the list that you can implement in your store in time for the 2012 season. Recommend at least two empowered people from each store attend as the basis for a store renovation team.

Store Development Checklist provided to each participant.

Available for purchase - The 12 Most Common Store Development Problems and Solutions That
Don’t Require a Bulldozer or a Bank Loan by Judy Sharpton
Powerpoint available for download to your flash drive with the purchase of book.

Program 2 - 1 hour – Inventory Management as a Store Development Opportunity

The 2011 season proved that those with the most savvy inventory management plan at least had a chance to make money even in bad weather and without putting everything on sale. This program will examine the dual opportunity of technology and store design to improve inventory management and add to the bottom line.
Powerpoint available for download to your flash drive with the purchase of The 12 book.

Judy Sharpton – LEED Green Associate, member ARCSA

Judy Sharpton is a garden center design and renovation specialist with 35 year's experience in advertising and promotion and the owner of Growing Places Marketing.

Since 1995, Growing Places Marketing has specialized in on-site consultations and group programs focused on store design, renovation and branding exclusively for independent garden centers and farm markets, with a special focus on limited-market stores.

In addition, Judy provides program content focused on store development, store branding and product placement to trade groups and suppliers through Growing Places’ Store School™.

Judy currently partners with Ball Publishing’s retail magazine, Green Profit, on a monthly column on store development titled Retail Ready™.

Judy has earned LEED Green Associate accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council and is a member of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA).
Judy is a avid gardener with a special interest in native plants, organic vegetable gardening and photography of all gardens, wild and tame. She is currently developing her last garden overlooking 65 acres of salt marsh near Savannah, GA.