Smith & Hawken Business Analysis

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Company Background

"Smith & Hawken is the premier authority in outdoor living, dedicated to providing products distinguished by authenticity, style and above all, fine craftsmanship" (Smith & Hawken, 2007). The channels used by Smith & Hawken include catalog, retail, and the internet. Dave Smith and Paul Hawken started in 1979 as a mail order company, providing a means for the consumer to obtain high-quality garden tools. In 1982, Smith & Hawken's first retail location opened in Mill Valley, California. Today their products are sold at 61 retail stores located in 23 states and through its catalog, Internet site and select high-end independent garden centers (Lee, 2006).

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company acquired Smith & Hawken back in late 2004. With the infusion of new capital, resources, and business strategies have resulted in some significant changes for Smith and Hawken's division. Three new redesigned stores opened in 2006, and a fourth scheduled to open in spring 2007. These new "Renaissance"-style stores showcase an expanded retail space featuring more lifestyle product lines; displayed in natural settings, unlike the sterile metal shelves and concrete floors of the big box retail chains.

Another undertaking introduced in 2006 was a partnership between Target and Smith & Hawken. This joint venture allows Target to sell an exclusive Smith & Hawken's pro...

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Hoover's Company Records. Austin: Jan 1, 2007. , Iss. Sj-Sq; pg. 59476. Retrieved Friday, January 12, 2007 from the ProQuest Standard database

Lee, L. (2006). CATALOGS, CATALOGS, EVERYWHERE. Business Week, Retrieved Friday, January 12, 2007 from the Academic Search Premier database.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Annual Report. (2005). (pp. 4 – 31). Retrieved Friday, January 12, 2007 from http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/98/98364/AR2005/html/scotts2005.pdf

Smith & Hawken. (2007). Retrieved Friday, January 12, 2007 from http://www.smithandhawken.com

Tierney, J. (2006). Smith & Hawken's Retail Renaissance. Multichannel Merchant, 23(12) (p. 56). Retrieved Friday, January 12, 2007 from the ProQuest Standard database.

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