Business Barometer September 2011
Water Garden News regularly surveys koi, pond and water garden companies about their business climate and sales trends. Respondents are granted anonymity. These responses came from a September 26 survey.
 Interactive Features on the Rise
A contractor in Long Island, N.Y.
Business is going well this year. It’s close to doubled from last year.
We used more rock this year than in many years past. We’ve been doing a lot of interactive features, such as waterfalls, grottos and slides. In the last month we worked on a pond, some rebuilds and some pondless waterfalls, with more coming up.
Pool waterfalls are the big niche. We work with contractors where they do the patios and landscaping and leave the water features to us.
Upgrades, Maintenance Steady
A full-service retailer and installer in Tyler, Texas
Sales doubled since last year. Usually fall is as busy as spring, and we’ve stayed the same this year.
Maintenance has remained steady. We’re not where we want to be with new projects, but the calls keep coming in. We’re upgrading a lot of older water features.
Recently we had a commercial on network TV. It has been by bringing in more customers. People are more aware of us, and we are getting more out-of-towners.
Bacteria and algaecides sell well, but mostly people come in to see our demos and to buy ponds more than products. People are adding lights a lot this year and replacing pumps.
This is our fourth year to do Christmas light installation and removal to supplement business during the winter. We double sales on that every year.
Smaller Jobs Rule This Year
A landscaper and installer in Lakeville, Minn.
Business is up a bit from last year. We’re busy, but it’s more smaller jobs instead of the bigger jobs. We’ve done fewer water features this year. Usually we have 3 to 4 big projects, but we had just a few smaller ones. The other landscaping projects fill the void, and we shut down for the winter.
The key for us is repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals. Long-term customers are key. We take care of them, and they come back and help when we need it.
DIY Equipment Sales Remain Stable
An online-only retailer in Downington, Pa.
Business is similar to last year. I cater to DIYers, and they are buying the larger, more expensive items.
About 85 to 95 percent of my business is orders over $100 for free shipping. One small item that sells well for me is UV bulbs. In the past two years I’ve sold fewer complete ponds.
Better Circumstances, Attitudes Help
A full-service retailer in Hoquiam, Wash.
Business is better from last year, which was pretty bad because of a bridge out and other local issues. People are coming in for fish food, liner and maintenance materials. We repair all the pumps we sell, and maintenance is stable.
People have a better attitude better because circumstances are better.
People Maintain Their Ponds
A retailer in Colgate, Wis.
It’s been a little slower than previous years but par with last year. Basically people are maintaining their ponds. They replenish as things wear out.
Success with Low Prices, Best Service
A retailer in West Columbia, S.C.
Business is really good this year and in-line with last year. We get a lot of business from our website, even across the country, which is exciting to us. We try to have the lowest prices and the best service.
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Business Barometer September 2011
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