connect-2-consumer's podcast

Bridget and her co-host Trey Malone are back with Dr. Aleks Schaefer (Ag, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State) to discuss some potential changes for industries facing dumping (imports into U.S. below cost of production or with considerable government subsidies), how tariffs play a role, and what (new) recourse may be on the horizon.

Bridget and Trey talk with Dr. Aleks Schaefer, a new assistant professor in Agriculture, Resource, and Food Economics at Michigan State. How will NAFTA changes affect you? How does international trade with China or Japan affect you? Some of the re-negotiations underway will influence agriculture. A revival of the agreements with Japan could be profitable for U.S. agriculture. Listen and learn how.

Need a conversation starter for the Thanksgiving table? Maybe avoid the topics of gluten and politics? Not casting dispersion on people with real allergies, but eating gluten free has some interesting associations. Trey and his colleague Bailey Norwood (Oklahoma State) tested some of those perceptions. Is a person's ideology tied to what they eat? Listen this week as Bridget and Trey discuss what you eat and what you think. Maybe read it after the tryptophan wears off.

One of the staple Christmas holiday crops is poinsettias. They myth still persists that they are poisonous (so do your part to de-bunk it!). Now (or soon) is a great time to remind consumers that this 'one-size-fits-all' colorful holiday plant is great to buy for yourself and as gifts. Dress them up with some bling and your margins can go up a bit higher. This is also a great opportunity to talk about your local production and any sustainability production steps you are taking to help you better connect with consumers this holiday season!

Chestnuts are a seasonal treat this time of year. Bridget and Trey discuss chestnut marketing and the research findings Bridget made several years ago. The professional chefs who participated in the research were "Mavens" or the go-to people for advice & information. What lessons can we learn from chestnut marketing?

It's coming! Christmas will be here in 7 weeks! One of the most traditional symbols for Christmas is the tree. Yet, marketing fresh trees has been a challenge for some/many growers and retailers in recent years. Bridget and Trey discuss some consumer research they worked jointly on that uncovers four interesting consumer segments; some hold more market potential than others.

This week, Bridget has Mike Ouding from Riverstreet Flowerland in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as her guest. They host a fun sale in August each year to help clear out inventory. It's called the Firefly Sale because Christmas lights in the retail area look a bit like fireflies. Listen as Bridget and Mike discuss this fun and profitable event.

Most people don't like to take risks. Some are willing to take small risks while others take greater risks. When it comes to buying plants (living objects) many people want to know they have some recourse if the plant dies. This week, Bridget discusses some recent research on plant guarantees. Think of them as insurance policies, especially for higher-priced or longer lived plants. Listen to learn more about how plant guarantees work from the consumer perspective.

Customer engagement with the product after purchase, or activity level, can be a good predictor of purchases. Bridget shares a recently published study on how activity level can be used both as a screening question to suggest product purchases as well as an indication of how much a customer will spend.

In today's business climate, being a local business can gain you customers. But often horticultural firms aren't very good at telling their story. This week, Bridget focuses on four ways to tell the story about the business that will resonate with consumers. Focusing on employees, business facts, product sourcing, and pro-environmental actions can help you better connect with your consumers.