User Profile

GARDEN CENTER CONSULTANTS

Erik Dietl-Friedli has worked in Garden Retail for over 35 years helping both small and large garden centers exceed goals and gain national prominence. He started at Martin Viette Nurseries on Long Island, progressing from Nursery Assistant Manager to Perennial Department Manager to Store Visual Merchandiser and Seasonal Department Manager. His greatest accomplishment at Viette’s was creating a Christmas Shoppe that dominated the local market and was recognized as an industry leader. Erik then managed the Perennial Department at Hicks Nurseries and worked on Hicks’ Spring Flower Show before moving to Florida. In 2005, Erik helped open Flamingo Road Nursery in Davie, Florida. He was responsible for creating Departments, Categories, Layout, Systems, Events, and all functions to open the garden center as a regional leader. It opened 3 days after a Category 3 hurricane. By 2008, it was recognized nationally with various awards, and in 2011 was the Revolutionary 100 National Winner from Today’s Garden Center. It continued to win awards, including Espoma’s 2013 Environmental Stewardship Award. Erik also helped develop a Fall Festival, which has become the largest annual family event in the Fort Lauderdale area. Today, Flamingo Road Nursery is a top 100 garden center in the US in annual Sales. Erik has always participated in and volunteered in various industry events, from garden club presentations to television to being the Chairperson of the Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE), the largest tropical plant show in the world. He sits on the TPIE Planning Committee for FNGLA and volunteers in other ways as well. Today, Erik is excited to help garden centers reach their full potential and own their market. Focusing on Layout, Processes, Visual Merchandising, and creating dynamic programs and events, Erik can help you succeed.