Las Vegas Market Section

sells custom magnets featuring its buildings or logo on them with cars sprinkled in. It also carries magnets with name brand logos such as Ford, Chevy, and Cadillac.

Sara Turner , gift shop manager at Taliesin Preservation in Spring Green, Wis., the home, studio, school, and 800-acre estate of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, said that Taliesin T-shirts by American Needle sell well because they are wearable souvenirs. Throws with designs featuring famous art glass pieces by Wright are colorful conversation pieces and a fun souvenir. Coasters, designed after Wright’s art glass designs are a fun, decorative gift.

At Graceland, the Home of Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tenn., Laurie Williams , director of merchandising, said Elvis name mugs are hot sellers. They feature an artwork design of Graceland and Elvis imagery. The “Elvis Presley’s Graceland: The Official Guidebook Hardcover Edition,” a collectible book filled with images of Graceland and Elvis, is also popular. The book tells the story of Elvis’ life and career in addition to giving readers an extensive tour of Graceland, its history, and its accompanying exhibits and attractions. Elvis Presley TCB Gold Sunglasses also fly off the shelves. They are replicas of Elvis’ iconic sunglasses.

Stocking Tips

So how can gift buyers put their best foot forward in choosing gift merchandise that will knock guests’ socks off? “Knowing where your customers come from and their reasons for visiting your shop can help guide a buyer in selecting merchandise that will sell,” Maxwell said. “After they have toured the galleries and enter the shop, visitors are often looking for something to take home a memento of their experience. With transportability in mind, gift pieces must also represent the museum’s collection.”

Turner chooses merchandise that is relevant to the Wright estate. “The most popular sellers are things that help to tell the story of what they learned while visiting Taliesin,” she said.

For Williams, it’s important to offer exclusive products that can only be purchased at Graceland. Merchandise features designs depicting Graceland’s images and icons. Offering a range of price points that appeal to everyone also works well. The campus operates eight retail outlets on its campus, which total approximately 18,000 square feet. Each retail outlet includes an assortment of themed products specific to its location.

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