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• Case | HBS Case Collection | 2009

  Ceres Gardening Company: Funding Growth in Organic Products

  John H. McArthur and Sunru Yong

  Ceres is a leading player in the growing organic gardening industry, selling seeds, small plants, and related items. Their distribution depends heavily on retail sales through independent nurseries and garden centers. Because these small dealers are unable to finance much inventory, Ceres has crafted its Get Ceres program, which offers steep discounts and vendor financing. Ceres hopes both to accelerate its penetration into new retail accounts and to encourage dealers to accept more inventory in anticipation of seasonal sales. A key focus of the case is the relationship between marketing strategy and credit policy. The case invites students to analyze a range of financial information and to make financial projections; a student spreadsheet (product 4019) is available free of charge.

  Keywords: Accounting procedures; financial statements; marketing; Sales; Marketing channels; Expansion; Business growth; Plant-Based Agribusiness; Marketing Strategy; Expansion; Business Growth and Maturation; Marketing Channels; Credit; Financial Statements; Sales; Retail Industry; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry;

  Citation:

  McArthur, John H., and Sunru Yong. "Ceres Gardening Company: Funding Growth in Organic Products." Harvard Business School Brief Case 094-017, May 2009.

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• Teaching Note | HBS Case Collection | 2009

  Ceres Gardening Company: Funding Growth in Organic Products (Brief Case)

  John H. McArthur and Sunru Yong

  Teaching Note to 4017.

  Keywords: Accounting procedures; financial statements; marketing; Sales; Marketing channels; Expansion; Business growth;

  Citation:

  McArthur, John H., and Sunru Yong. "Ceres Gardening Company: Funding Growth in Organic Products (Brief Case)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 094-018, May 2009.

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• Supplement | HBS Case Collection | 2009

  Ceres Gardening Company: Funding Growth in Organic Products, Spreadsheet for Instructors (Brief Case)

  John H. McArthur and Joel L. Heilprin

  Keywords: Accounting procedures; financial statements; marketing; Sales; Marketing channels; Expansion; Business growth;

  Citation:

  McArthur, John H., and Joel L. Heilprin. "Ceres Gardening Company: Funding Growth in Organic Products, Spreadsheet for Instructors (Brief Case)." Harvard Business School Spreadsheet Supplement 094-020, May 2009.

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