Inexpensive Souvenirs Are Big at Zoo Gift Shops

From stickers to magnets, to stuffed animals, both name-dropped and generic souvenirs are big sellers at zoo gift stores nationwide.

At the Big Bear Alpine Zoo in Big Bear Lake, Calif., Merchandising Manager Christine Bice described her top-selling inexpensive souvenirs as “little cuddly stuffed toys. Those are by far our most popular merchandise. We have miniFlopsies on display in a big bin in the middle of the store that do extremely well.” While the display is attractive and eye-catching, the popularity of this item is also due to a reasonable price point of $7.50, and a wide range of animal choices. “They are the best seller we have, for sure,” she said. Made with soft plush, the small toys are also appealing for their quality.

When it comes to other inexpensive items, magnets are a top-seller as well at the recently expanded gift shop. Bice sees a trend in the appeal of magnets due to how easily customers can purchase and carry them, and the custom styles that the store carries. “Our magnets are a good grab and go. And we had them all customized, which people like. One in particular is very popular. It was drawn from the animals here at the zoo, and it shows that the animals residing here are all rescue animals. That one is an especially good seller,” she reports. “One of the most prominent features on the magnet is an image of our two snow leopard sisters here. They each have only one eye. The magnet reminds people that the animals here are being taken care of, and that they couldn’t be taken care of or safe elsewhere.” For Bice, custom magnet designs are definitely a top trend.

“Our magnets are a good grab and go. And we had them all customized, which people like. One in particular is very popular. It was drawn from the animals here at the zoo, and it shows that the animals residing here are all rescue animals. That one is an especially good seller.”

- Christine Bice, Big Bear Alpine Zoo, Big Bear Lake, Calif.

At Zoo Montana in Billings, Guest Services Manager Kathy Barton described her best performing inexpensive souvenir items as “Colorful little rainbow candy tops or lollipops that have stuffed animals around them. They are a really strong seller. We were sold out and just restocked today, and the display is almost empty again already.” The item has wide-spread appeal, she related. “We see both kids and adults purchasing them. They are both crazy for them, and I think it is because you get both a sweet and a little stuffed toy both at one time.” The candy and plush combination is also offered at an attractive price point for customers. “You get two things for a lower price, and one is consumable, while the other one sticks around,” she said, making the purchase a win-win for guests.

With that in mind, while namedropped magnets tend to sell better overall than generic items, when it comes to plush animals, name-dropping matters less. As Bice notes “Plush is king in our gift store, and most of our plush is not personalized. Some stuffed animals do have hoodies on them that feature the name of the zoo, and those sell very well, but then so do generic plush.”

Barton also does well with stickers and magnets. “I saw that trend coming, and I have orders in right now for a ton of both of those items. Our magnets are already on the floor and they are doing just fantastic.” She added, “I get requests for stickers all the time, and when the new order comes in, we’ll get that display up and we will have a whole wall of them. The wall will include some bigger decals, too.” Price point and ease

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