Candle making workshops, terrarium building, farmers market days... there are so many opportunities for garden retailers to expand their offerings. 

Online shopping is more accessible than ever, and modern retail is built around convenience. As a result, the role of physical stores has evolved. Shops are no longer just places to purchase goods. They’re spaces to connect, to learn, to be inspired. They’re about experiences—moments that spark joy and build lasting relationships. 

Workshops, events and DIY stations are the beating heart of this retail trend. When done well, they transform casual browsers into passionate fans. Once you learn how to create these interactive moments you can elevate your gardening brand and deepen your connection with shoppers. 

 

 

Why Hands-On Experiences Matter

At the centre of every successful brand lies a genuine connection with its audience. People crave meaningful interactions. They want to feel part of something bigger than themselves. Offering workshops or DIY activities provides just that—an opportunity to engage all the senses, build skills and create lasting memories. 

When shoppers physically engage with your products, they form emotional connections. That’s a powerful thing. A customer who spends an afternoon painting pottery or learning how to germinate seeds isn’t just a one-time buyer. They’re a brand advocate. They’ve invested time, energy and emotion into your brand story. 

And, as an added bonus, it’s fun! Who doesn’t love rolling up their sleeves and getting creative? 

 

 

Workshops That Inspire and Educate

Workshops are an opportunity to educate your audience while giving them a taste of your brand’s values. Whether you’re a SME or a large conglomerate, there’s room for everyone to offer meaningful, educational workshops that inspire. 

Take a garden centre, for example. Instead of simply selling plants and tools, why not host a workshop on container gardening? Teach customers how to create stunning seasonal displays, care for their plants, and choose the right combinations for year-round interest. It’s a chance to share your expertise, build trust, and highlight the quality of your products. 

For those specialising in wildlife-friendly gardening, a workshop on making bee-friendly planters or DIY bird feeders is a fantastic way to engage people of all ages. Customers leave not only with something they’ve made themselves but also with a deeper connection to your brand and the knowledge to support local wildlife. 

Workshops can be intimate, with small groups that inspire conversation and facilitate personal attention. Or they can be large-scale events that create buzz and excitement. Either way, they offer value beyond the product on the shelf. 

 

 

Events That Create Community

Events can take on a life of their own, becoming annual traditions that customers look forward to. Whether it’s a launch party, a maker’s market or a seasonal fair, these occasions bring people together and create community spirit. 

Events can also support local causes, adding a layer of community goodwill. Partnering with local charities or artists not only enriches the event but aligns your brand with purpose and care. 

 

Here are some exciting garden retail events to bring people together, spark creativity, and celebrate the joy of gardening: 

 

Seasonal & Holiday-Themed Events

• Spring Planting Festival – Celebrate the arrival of spring with planting demos, seed giveaways and kids' activities. 

• Pumpkin Patch & Autumn Festival – Set up a pumpkin display, host a carving contest and offer seasonal gardening tips. 

• Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop – Teach customers how to create festive wreaths using fresh greenery. 

• Easter Egg Hunt in the Garden – Hide eggs among flowers and plants to bring families into the store. 

• Mother’s Day DIY Flower Pot Workshop – A fun way for families to craft a heartfelt gift for mums. 

 

Educational & Workshop Events

• Gardening 101 Classes – Monthly classes covering topics like composting, container gardening and pest control. 

• Kids’ Garden Club – A hands-on series teaching kids how to grow their own plants and vegetables. 

• Sustainable Gardening & Native Plants Workshop – Educate the community on eco-friendly gardening techniques. 

• Pollinator Awareness Day – Partner with beekeepers to discuss pollinators’ role in gardens and give away pollinator-friendly plants. 

• DIY Terrarium & Succulent Workshop – Let customers create their own mini greenhouses. 

 

Competitions & Community Engagement

• Biggest Tomato (or Sunflower) Contest – A season-long competition where customers grow and showcase their best crops. 

• Garden Art Fair & Craft Market – Feature local artists who create garden-related decor and handmade items. 

• Best Backyard Garden Contest – Encourage locals to showcase their gardens and award prizes for creativity and sustainability. 

• Herb & Veggie Cook-Off – Customers bring dishes made with homegrown ingredients to share and compete. 

• Pet-Friendly Garden Day – Host a dog-friendly event with pet-safe plants and garden tips for pet owners. 

 

Community-Focused Initiatives 

• Garden Volunteer Day – Partner with schools or community groups to build gardens in public spaces. 

• Seed & Plant Swap – Encourage gardeners to exchange seeds, cuttings and starter plants. 

• Adopt-a-Plant Day – Offer free or discounted plants that need extra care to customers willing to rescue them. 

• Grow & Donate Drive – Challenge community members to grow produce and donate the harvest to a local food bank. 

• OAP Gardening Day – Invite local retirement communities for a day of planting and socialising. 

 

 

DIY Stations That Spark Creativity

DIY stations offer instant gratification. They’re low-commitment, high-reward activities that can turn a quick visit into a memorable stop. These little experiences are perfect for shoppers who may be on the go but are curious enough to pause and explore. 

DIY stations can be as simple or as sophisticated as you like. What matters is the opportunity they create for engagement. They let people play, explore and feel like they’re part of your brand story. 

And, of course, they’re social media gold. Shoppers are more likely to snap photos and share their creations online, spreading the word far beyond your shop’s four walls. 

 

 

 

 

Tips for Creating Irresistible Hands-On Experiences

The best brands don’t just tell their story—they let customers become part of it. Hands-on experiences create opportunities for deeper engagement and lasting impressions. Use these tips to create immersive interactions that turn customers into lifelong advocates. 

 

 

• Know Your Audience

Understand who your shoppers are and what they’re passionate about. Tailor your workshops and activities to their interests. A gardening shop might host terrarium-making sessions, while a stationery shop could offer calligraphy classes. 

 

• Make It Accessible

Keep workshops and DIY stations welcoming and inclusive. Offer options for different skill levels and make sure everyone feels comfortable joining in. 

 

• Keep It Simple (But Memorable)

Not every activity needs to be complex. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective. What matters is creating a joyful, stress-free experience that leaves people smiling.

 

• Offer Takeaways

Give participants something to take home—whether it’s the item they made, a sample product or a discount voucher for their next visit. This reinforces the connection and encourages return visits.

 

• Create a Beautiful Space

Set the scene! A cosy, inviting space enhances the experience. Use good lighting, music and comfortable seating to create an atmosphere people want to spend time in.

 

• Train Your Staff 

 Your team should be enthusiastic ambassadors of the experience. Train them to facilitate workshops with warmth, knowledge and encouragement.

 

• Promote, Promote, Promote

 Use social media, email newsletters and in-store signage to spread the word about your events. Encourage participants to share their experiences online—user-generated content is powerful! 

 

 

The Effects of the Experiential Retail Trend: From Shoppers to Fans 

What’s the ultimate goal of all this? It’s about turning transactions into relationships. A shopper who spends time in your space, learns something new or creates something beautiful isn’t just buying a product. They’re buying into an experience. And that’s something they’ll talk about, share and return for again and again. 

Workshops, events and DIY stations humanise your brand. They create a sense of belonging and foster a community of engaged, enthusiastic fans who champion what you do. The numbers speak for themselves—91% of shoppers report feeling a positive association with a brand after attending an experiential event. 

 

Your customers aren’t the only ones that will benefit. According to statistics, 73% of customers are willing to spend more money and time in stores that offer immersive experiences. That means more foot traffic, higher dwell times, and ultimately, increased sales. When customers feel a connection with a brand, they’re not just browsing—they’re buying. 

 

And the appetite for engagement is growing. Nearly a third (32%) of shoppers actively prefer in-store experiences over traditional shopping. This shift is pushing brands to think beyond shelves and checkout counters, reimagining their spaces as destinations rather than just retail outlets.  

 

 

So, the next time you’re thinking about how to bring people through your doors, consider this: what experience can you offer that will make them feel like they’re part of your story? 

Because when you invite people in, let them get hands-on and share a little bit of what makes your brand special, magic happens. 

And that’s when shoppers become fans. 

 

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