Display and Visual Merchandising Section

visitors into the store, which has 3,500 square feet of selling space. There’s a large arbor in the front entrance and visitors are always drawn to see what is in the arbor.

The National Museum of American Jewish History Museum Store sells a lot of expensive and fragile ceremonial Jewish items and tabletop accessories, many of which are displayed behind

Who Gets to Create Displays?

ideas on how to display merchandise when buying it. She then has a team who helps turn her ideas into a reality. Many times staff come up with great display ideas also.

At the Historic Sotterley Museum Store in Hollywood, Md., Ginger Newman Askew, events/museum store manager, said the assistant store manager creates displays. She is supported by a team of sales associates.

As the gift shop manager at Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, Miss., April Shaw creates the displays or she works with staff members to create them. “I believe we work better as a team,” she said.

store consistent and accessible.

Heather Blankenship, retail operations manager at the Toledo Museum of Art Museum Store in Toledo, Ohio, has a small staff who are all trained on the style of displays created for the store. “We work as team and I ask for their thoughts and ideas,” she said. “But I believe there is a more cohesive look and flow to the store if directions come from one person. Otherwise, I have noticed that when multiple people create their own visions, the space tends to not appear as harmonious. In the end, the goal is to create a beautiful experience which patrons enjoy and aren’t confused by.”

For those with a creative edge, making eye-catching displays can be a rewarding part of the job. Oftentimes, input from other staff members can help to create even better displays.

Laney Carey, museum store manager at The Museum Store in Oklahoma City, Okla., said that as the buyer she often formulates

Kristen Kreider, director of retail and customer experience at the National Museum of American Jewish History Museum Store in Philadelphia, Pa., said she looks for candidates with merchandising experience and creativity when hiring. Generally, one person is responsible for displays, which helps to keep the overall feel and flow of the 1,200-square-foot

At The Intuit Store at the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago, Ill., Julie Blake, store buyer and merchandiser, works closely with the museum’s curatorial team to create striking displays. The walls of the Intuit Store are similar to the walls of the museum—everything tells a story. ❖ glass—which can deter customers. “To draw their attention long enough for us to be able to recognize their interest and offer to open a showcase, we avoid showing all like-product together,” Kreider said. “Instead we group more by aesthetic, combining pieces used year-round with seasonal ceremonial items, secular pieces, and even books that help create dynamic displays.”

The Pandemic’s Impact COVID-19 has changed the way that some shops display home décor and gift merchandise. Shaw wraps up everything in plastic bags so neither staff nor shoppers can actually touch a

Handmade Stars from India Are Available from Lorab International

Lorab International has been designing and selling Handmade Stars from India for over 20 years.

Each Star is unique with wonderful patterns and colors to surely enhance wherever they are used, for gifts, displays, or a child’s room, each becomes a treasure that all love. The paper used is of the highest quality, and the colors inside each star make them unique and enchanting when lit.

The company prides itself on one-on-one communication with its customers, and have a very loyal and long-established following.

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RSN 01 physical item. The shop’s website now has more online landing pages to display what the museum is currently promoting, so shoppers can order online.

To best protect guests and staff, Julie Blake , store buyer and merchandiser at The Intuit Store at the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago, Ill., said only museum personnel are allowed into the store. “We installed Plexiglas at the cash register and viewing areas and rearranged display cases so merchandise can be seen from the storefront,” she said. A QR code is displayed that guests can use to access an illustrated checklist of what’s in store. Intuit staff assist guests at the front counter, where they bring over items of interest. Smaller items are displayed by the cash register that serve as great add-on purchases and gifts. In a typical year, annual revenue is $35,000 at the

Stationery Product News

Leanin’ Tree Is Offering New Humor Cards

Lift a spirit with new light-hearted cards for birthdays, friendship, encouragement and other occasions. Leanin’ Tree cards are printed in the United States on recycled paper.

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120-square-foot shop.

Heather Blankenship , retail operations manager at the Toledo Museum of Art Museum Store in Toledo, Ohio, said the pandemic changed the store’s traffic pattern. Patrons now enter through a door in the back of the store that was never previously opened and exit through the front door. Signage explains how to navigate the 1,520-square-foot store or ask for help.

Newman Askew no longer encourages customers to handle items they’re not planning to purchase, and she limits the number of people allowed in the store at one time. ❖

Showcase Product News

Souvenirs

Do you need custom/regional product fast? Souvenir Avanti’s Showcase Series can be designed and shipped in one week. Stock regional styles are also available. (For more information, call 800-265-2266, visit www.souveniravanti.com, or circle 45 on the reader service card.)