The Mary Sue
‘Really?’: Lowe’s customers asks home and garden worker what they do with old f…
A salon owner had a bone to pick with the CEO of Lowe’s after learning some concerning information from a store associate.
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Lowe's Plant Clearance Policy Sparks Online Debate Over Waste and Discounts
A recent social media video has sparked a debate among consumers and retail employees regarding major home improvement stores' policies on 'dying' plants. In the video, a customer directly appealed to the CEO of Lowe's, questioning why the company allegedly discards plants that are past their prime instead of offering steeper discounts. The customer, who shared her experience from her car outside a Lowe's store, expressed frustration over seeing a yellow rose, originally priced around $29, marked down by only 50% despite having 'one green stem' and appearing 'pretty dead.' She stated her willingness to pay $5 or $10 for such a plant, highlighting a desire among gardeners to rescue and revive struggling flora, rather than seeing them go to waste. This sentiment was echoed by many in the comments section, with several customers sharing success stories of purchasing clearance plants and bringing them back to health. However, the discussion also shed light on the complexities of retail plant management. A self-identified Lowe's plant service lead commented, explaining that stores have guidelines for clearance, including plants that are '70% or more bloomed out, wilted & doesn’t recover, plant doesn’t look to be the same size as the others at that retail price, broken/damaged, “leggy”, or nearing the end of its blooming season.' This employee added that plants not sold after three weeks on clearance are typically discarded, and that 'Lowe's gets full credit on all plants that are thrown away,' which might disincentivize deeper discounts. Another commenter, claiming to be a former garden department employee, corroborated the practice of marking down twice before disposal. The conversation underscores a broader consumer desire for sustainable practices and affordable gardening options, juxtaposed with the operational and financial realities faced by large retail chains.
