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2025 in Review — and What It Means for 2026

Posted on by Kurt Fromherz

 

A Year-End Note

As we close out the year, I wanted to reflect briefly on what we focused on at Sunrise Marketing in 2025 — and why it matters as we head into 2026.

Independent garden centers are navigating real change: shifting customer expectations, ongoing staffing challenges, and long-term ownership transitions. This year, our focus was simple — build practical tools that make your life easier today and help protect what you’ve built for the future.

Here are five highlights from 2025, and what they mean going forward.

🤖 1. Practical AI for Independent Garden Centers

In 2025:
We worked hands-on with AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Claude to support marketing, customer communication, and internal documentation — not as experiments, but as everyday helpers.

Looking to 2026:
AI helps save time, reduce repetitive work, and respond faster to customers — without adding staff. Used well, it becomes a quiet advantage.

📊 2. Local Market Research with Prxy AI

In 2025:
Through our partnership with Prxy AI, we introduced market research that helps garden centers understand why customers buy — based on local behavior, not national averages.

Looking to 2026:
Owners can plan promotions and messaging with more confidence and less guesswork, making better use of time and budget.

🧠 3. AI Assistants Trained on Your Store’s Knowledge

In 2025:
We began building out AI assistants trained on plant databases, FAQs, services, events, and store-specific information — integrated into websites and mobile apps.

Looking to 2026:
Customers get answers 24/7, staff handles fewer repetitive questions, and valuable knowledge stays accessible even as teams change.

📱 4. A Smarter, More Central Mobile App Platform

In 2025:
The Sunrise app continued to evolve as a central hub for loyalty, content, promotions, notifications, and new AI-driven features.

Looking to 2026:
The app becomes your digital front door — helping you rely less on social media algorithms and more on direct customer relationships.

🌱 5. Supporting Generational Transition

In 2025:
We focused on simplifying marketing and capturing institutional knowledge, recognizing that many garden centers are preparing for leadership transition.

Looking to 2026:
Technology supports continuity — helping preserve expertise, onboard new leaders faster, and build long-term stability.

📍 Connecting in January

I’m looking forward to connecting in person at the January tradeshows:

  • MANTS | Jan 7–9 — Booth #308
  • TPIE | Jan 21–23 — Booth #2225

Whether you’re a retailer or industry partner, these shows are a great opportunity to compare notes and talk about what’s ahead. If you’re attending, please stop by or reach out to connect.

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2026, our commitment remains the same: help independent garden centers stay relevant, competitive, and profitable — without losing what makes them special.

Thanks for being part of the Sunrise Marketing community. I’m looking forward to the conversations ahead.

Kurt Fromherz