The Memorial Day Weekend sale was hectic, but was by far the biggest challenge I faced. Plants and people were moving constantly. We were selling out of things faster than we could fill tables back up. Every time I turned around there was something new going on. Calloway's always has a big Memorial Day weekend sale to help move as much inventory as possible before the slower summer months.
I have even started working on the cash register. At first, it was a little intimidating with all the buttons and functions and things to remember, but as I work more and more on it, it is becoming second nature.
This was my register. |
This is one of the displays of interior plants I put together. I love the varieties of colors. |
I am just starting work in the Plant Allies section of Calloway's. In this area, I help customers find fertilizers, pesticides, soil amendments and mulches. Many customers bring in samples and pictures of their problems on their plants. There is a huge difference in seeing pictures of different diseases and pest damage and seeing it on an actual leaf. In my down time, I try to learn more about the individual products we sell by reading some of the labels. There I can learn what the product is for, what to use it on, and how to use it.
I have also been learning about the business side of the nursery. I have seen how my location does compared to the other locations and other time periods. I have learned about cycle counts and why the cycle count does not match the inventory. I also learned how to do Receiving, where I had to check the vendor's purchase order with our purchase order with what was actually shipped to us. I also learned that unloading trucks is hard work in our Texas weather but it is important to keep track of what is coming off the truck so that you get everything you ordered.
I also enjoyed releasing some tiny Praying Mantis babies (we sell live praying mantis eggs, lady bugs and beneficial nematodes) into the flower bed in the front of the building. Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures of them venturing off into the wild for the first time. I will try to keep up with them and see how they do for the remainder of my internship at the store location.
In the second half of my internship I will get to help with a merchandising project that will actually be implemented in the stores. The birding and wildlife section at Calloway's was the project of one of the interns last year. Its really cool to see what other students in my position have done.
This is the Birding and Wildlife Display. |
That about sums up my first 2 weeks at Calloway's. I am looking forward to learning even more from this great company.