Las Vegas Market Section

Bringing Home the Sales (From page 134) accents such as vases, wall décor items, and sculptural decorative items like balloon dogs that are like the ones by artist Jeff Koons. They’re very popular.”

Trends? “We’ve seen a lot of barware and home entertainment items such as charcuterie plates and serving items. It’s really an outgrowth of the pandemic and people doing more entertaining at home.”

The 1,000-square-foot shop makes sure that desert travelers don’t have to carry purchases home in their suitcases. “We totally ship things to people. Many people ask for that.”

In Anchorage, Alaska, Jana Hayenga , owner of Cabin Fever, relies most strongly on her staff’s experience and knowledge to sell more décor items. “I have people who have worked here for 20 years, and they know the artists, the stories behind the items, and how unique and individual they are. They also gift wrap everything, and when customers reach out to us for a specific unique item, if that is no longer in the store, because we have so many one-of-a-kind pieces, then they will give other suggestions.” She noted, “That kind of customer service, the kind that goes above and beyond, that’s even more in demand right now.”

Best-sellers include “Hand-turned art bowls, each unusual and different, and three-dimensional floral stained-glass pieces, in which the flowers stand out from the typical, 2D rectangular piece, flowers such as fireweed and forget-me-nots. They are really beautiful. We also have grapevine moose heads that are the actual size of moose heads. People use them indoors and out for a kind of [lodge like] look.”

With items that special, the 2,000-square-foot store ships a great deal. “We ship right from the artist sometimes. We figure out the cost and have them ship a piece directly to customers. We even ship globally.”

As to trends, unique items have always been the store’s primary focus in the home décor category, so there are no differences that she sees in commercial trends. Among shoppers, however, she sees that “Because of COVID we have a lot of independent travelers who come in with a lot of time to spend, maybe a week or more, rather than just popping on and off a cruise,” she said that they are typically younger than cruise passengers and buying the décor items more for their own homes rather than smaller gift items for others. “And with more room in their suitcases, rather than the limited space for cruise passengers, they won’t just shop for small, flat items. We have done very well with beautifully hand-painted bowls this year. We are selling three to five a week versus three to five a season in the past. Consumers are buying more for themselves than small gifts for everyone on a list.”

At The Rusty Dahlia in Astoria, Ore., Owner Teresa Barner said the best way to sell more décor items