What’s Changed in What’s Selling Due to the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed countless challenges for retailers of all kinds. Despite a difficult business climate, zoo and aquarium retailers interviewed for this article said some positives did come out of the past year. Sheard noted, “We are seeing more sales. We’re at limited capacity, so we’re seeing fewer guests, although individual families are spending a little more when they visit the zoo. Obviously, mask sales are going up—we’re selling them left and right. The plush and apparel are still selling at the same levels as they were in 2019.” Rogato also said, “We have seen a large increase in our sales from people coming through the gift shop. We have also seen a huge increase in our larger plush items selling, as well.”

Hummel said the pandemic-related items have been big sellers at the Akron Zoo, as well. “Masks, of course, are hot, and we have them name-dropped, as well as shirts with fun social distancing messaging like ‘Llama Stay 6 Feet Away’,” she explained.

Coogan noted: “Our Central Florida Zoo masks are very popular, and stress toys and educational books seem to exceed your everyday souvenir item. Since the pandemic, we have seen an increase in parents buying educational and stress items, including plush, for their children first so they have something to entertain them at home.” ❖ to get in, and anything we put that arch on sells well. We get hand-carved wooden ornaments featuring the arch, and they are big sellers during the holiday season. In the warmer months, we have regular giraffe feedings [which visitors can watch], and we see such a spike in the giraffe plush.”

When it comes to displays and merchandising, zoo and aquarium retailers say maximizing available space is essential. These venues often feature kiosks or small pop-up shops carrying a limited selection of inventory throughout the property as an extension of the main shop. “Our shop is 700 square feet,” Coogan explained. “It’s a small but organized gift shop. The team keeps

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Zoos and Aquariums

Best-Selling Name-Dropped (From page 75)

things compartmentalized to make it easy for our guests to go in and out.” She added, “We categorize [items] throughout the store. If a guest asks for a specific item, we point in the direction of where they can find it. This also helps with social distancing. Smaller displays are better than large displays—an example of a smaller display would be one by the checkout counter.” Sheard added location and visibility are also key for merchandising. “We try to feature the name-dropped items at prime spots in the store. We have a table set up right in front of the register, and the name-dropped items are featured prominently.” Hummel added, “Display so the name-drop is visible, but other than that…make it look good and shoppable.” buy what will sell.”

Retailers continue to plan for the next season. Coogan is looking ahead at how her team can apply what they’ve learned during the pandemic, and life in general post-COVID. “I’m looking forward to attending trade shows and working directly with manufacturers again. We have virtual meetings on Zoom but I’m looking forward to having meetings in person. I’m also interested in understanding new ways of doing business.